【英语时差8，16】如何处理小姑的不合理要求

 Dear Annie:

My husband and I are expecting a baby soon. One of his sisters has asked if she and her husband could be the godparents. She is not who I would have picked because of her difficult attitude, but my husband says we should agree because she asked.

My sister-in-law is very opinionated and thinks everyone should take her side in family squabbles. How do I keep the peace without hurting anybody's feelings? Is it polite for people to ask to be godparents? I thought it was strictly¹ up to the parents to decide who would best fill their positions if they were unable to. Please help. － Running Out of TimeDear Running Out:

It is indeed inappropriate for someone to ask to be the godparent. However, you are mistaken that godparents raise the child if something should happen to you. Godparents are simply supposed to be spiritual guides for your child.

If you take the religious aspect seriously, you should select someone who fits the role. This also may provide you with a legitimate² reason to pick someone other than your sister-in-law. However, if the honor³ is in name only, you might reconsider to please your husband. After the child is born, you can still select someone else to be the legal guardian⁴ in the event something happens to you and your husband.

1 strictly   

adv.严厉地，严格地；严密地

参考例句：

• His doctor is dieting him strictly.他的医生严格规定他的饮食。
• The guests were seated strictly in order of precedence.客人严格按照地位高低就座。

2 legitimate   

adj.合法的，合理的，合乎逻辑的；v.使合法

参考例句：

• Sickness is a legitimate reason for asking for leave.生病是请假的一个正当的理由。
• That's a perfectly legitimate fear.怀有这种恐惧完全在情理之中。

3 honor   

n.光荣；敬意；荣幸；vt.给…以荣誉；尊敬

参考例句：

• I take your visit as a great honor.您的来访是我莫大的光荣。
• It is a great honor to receive that prize.能拿到那个奖是无上的光荣。

4 guardian   

n.监护人；守卫者，保护者

参考例句：

• The form must be signed by the child's parents or guardian. 这张表格须由孩子的家长或监护人签字。
• The press is a guardian of the public weal. 报刊是公共福利的卫护者。