Thank you Cath1 for working this out with us. The redendant Reply button disappears once the text window opens, leaving the Submit button as the clear choice to post a message. Thanks again.
Now let's return this thread to the very important subject that Lilbear started.
Dear Lilbear,
As a mother myself, I can relate. It's heart-wrenching to be losing your father and even more so when you start thinking about your children having to face such a harsh reality early in life. We revel in children's ability to believe and make-believe, perhaps wishing we still could too.
I agree with Cath1 about making new traditions and collecting memories of when your father played Santa as these will outlast the belief that Santa is real. Children are incredible and I suspect your daughter will surprise you in her understanding of the truth about your Dad playing Santa. I don't know if this will help, but when my daughter was 6 she stopped believing in Santa because her classmates burst that bubble. I think I was more sad about it than she was. Much to my surprise, the following year she said, "Mom, I don't think my friends are right. I think there is a Santa Claus." So for the following Christmases, we were able to hang up the stockings, put out the glass of milk, etc." We still know that the Santa in the malls are just fill ins and that's okay for her too. Somehow she arranges all this in her brain.
Here are some resources about talking to children about losing someone.
I hope to continue talking about this with you and with others.
Bon courage.
Colleen