Godparents

So we are planning Dolly's christening. I'm receiving extraordinary pressure from my family to make my sister and her husband the godparents.  My sister and I  - well, we aren't very close.  We are seven years apart and we fought like cats and dogs as children.  I didn't make her Mister's godmother because I wanted my best friend to be his godmother. I wanted someone who would be involved in Mister's life. I also think my sister holds the position of aunt and by bringing in someone who is not necessarily blood family would extend the circle of loved ones. I have the same thoughts with Dolly's godparents.  I am planning to ask my good friend and neighbour who has been with us every step of the way.  She was the one who took Mister when my water broke early and we rushed to hospital.  Mister spent two nights with her family until grandma could arrive.  This friend was also the one who made me dinner countless times and left it on my porch when we were driving back and forth to hospital to see Dolly in NICU.  This friend, I think, is a major reason I didn't have post-partum this time around. She made me coffee, took Lilli for a couple of hours so I could get some sleep, spent time with us on a regular basis (she is a SAHM).  So we have been very lucky to have her in our lives.  My mother says that I don't need to 'reward' her for this. I don't think of it as a reward but an honour to have her be a part of my life and Dolly's life.  So what is my strategy for dealing with family stress? Avoidance.  My sister and her family are currently living in Germany. So with this in mind, I will plan the christening for October (a time when they aren't possibly going to make it) and ask the couple that I really want to be Dolly's godparents.  My mother will just have to deal with it.