We can't prevent our children from going through difficult life experiences. Sometimes the cookie crumbles, and we are left trying to clean up the metaphorical mess. Crummy Conversations offers the Courage to Communicate Model, a practical and effective guide for talking with children about life's 5 Big Ds: Death, Divorce, Diagnosis, Departure, and Disaster. Using humor and real-life situations, Surtees writes for everyday parents, educators, and professionals trying to do their best on the hardest days. Crummy Conversations will help both you and your child feel safe and secure in your relationship while you process, understand, and embrace a major life change. It is a judgment-free read that helps adults feel seen and supported while doing their best to be tough cookies for the children they care about. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Michelle Surtees is a professional helper and a writer with a passion for intentional and empathetic communication. With a bachelor's degree in Child and Youth Care and a master's degree in Educational Leadership, she has worked with children and families for eighteen years and is invested in providing prevention, intervention, and education services that benefit all families. As the creator of the Courage to Communicate Model, a practical guide for talking with children about life's biggest changes, she believes that courageous communication is for everyone. She writes from her home on Vancouver Island, BC, where she lives with her husband and three children.