This is a very hard thing to do... and you are right it will get harder by the day. It depends on the age of the child how best to tell them. And the age differences are also impacts how they will respond. If you have a Pastor I would talk with them... I would also talk with the childs teacher if they have one and you might want to talk with a counselor. This is a really hard thing to do. When my 21 year old nephew died... there were very young nieces and nephews who three weeks earlier had lost their great grandmother. I did some research at the time to see how to help them through this... there was one site that was particularly helpful... I have been looking for it for you but right now I can't find it. It went in to ages and how they will respond. I have attached a couple of sites... but wish I could find the one I am thinking of,

http://www.beliefnet.com/Love-Family/2000/01/When-A-Parent-Dies.aspx

http://www.hospicenet.org/html/parent.html

https://www.akronchildrens.org/cms/tips/73b0b0cb7f9e1047/bp1121.pdf

http://kidshealth.org/parent/emotions/feelings/death.html#

http://www.ehow.com/how_2204690_that-their-mommydaddy-has-died.html

I am sorry for your loss and also for how you are struggling with how to tell your child. This has to be the hardest thing you will ever have to do... And I pray that you find the strength and the wisdom of how to best do this for your child. Seek counseling of some sort as I said before... Bless you and your family.

Try the find your dad star approach. Every where every day they can find dad in the star. Not the same as dad but they will know he is watching over them.

Depending on the age of the child... try to keep memories alive. Make a scrapbook, have the child help. Find a support group. Get guidance in person from people who care about you. I feel your pain. God Bless!