Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting JourneyParenting

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

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Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Ep. 393: Are We Accidentally Creating Second-Child Syndrome?

Mon, 12 Jan 2026

In the special segment "Dear Past Me," Shanna and Laura give their former selves parenting advice based on what they know now, including wisdom about sentimental baby items and encouragement to advocate for yourself in the early days of new motherhood. Also, Laura manages to get her reluctant kids to go on an urban adventure, and Shanna celebrates her daughter's 7th birthday and travels to Phoenix with her family for a celebration-of-life event. Finally, they share their BFPs or BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Finding outdoor adventures close to home for your family
  • The difficulty of transitions with kids
  • Attending a memorial/celebration of life and what it’s like to do meaningful rituals with kids
  • Reflections on early parenting choices and what we wish we could tell our younger selves
  • Why keeping up with milestone keepsakes for all your kids is important
  • Navigating career and creativity opportunities as a new mom
  • Anti-mom bias at work and within creative spaces, and why advocating for yourself matters
  • Kids exploring the performing arts and the joy of seeing them come alive creatively
  • Finding helpful online communities and learning new routines that are rewarding


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

  • Ep. 283 - (Laura discusses Auggie's reluctance to participate in his school's theater production)
  • Ep. 285 - (Laura reports on Auggie's refusal to participate in the theater production on the day of the show)
  • Ep. 374 - (Laura talks about her boys getting excited about their hiking "costumes" in Portland)
  • Ep. 376 - (Shanna talks about her stepdad's passing)


Connect with Us


If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!


Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


Ep. 392: The Surprising History of the Tooth Fairy

Mon, 05 Jan 2026

In the special segment "Today I Learned," Laura and Shanna discuss the fascinating or unusual things they have learned about recently, including an unexpected baby boom on a remote island in the South Pacific and the surprising history of the Tooth Fairy. Also, Shanna shares the details about her daughter's 7th birthday party, and Laura reports on her experience babysitting Shanna's kids. Finally, they share their BFPs or BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Throwing kids' birthday parties with DIY flair
  • Fun ideas for a 7-year-old's birthday party
  • Getting kids together for a cozy “fake sleepover” night
  • Reality TV crews, on-set romances and an unexpected family-friendly workplace
  • The origins of the Tooth Fairy and the traditions that came before her
  • Whether or not to send your kids to day camp over the winter break
  • Discovering and using your employer's benefits for subsidized childcare
  • When your child shows sudden changes in independence, fears and anxiety


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

  • Ep. 383 - (Shanna and Laura discuss the origins of the 6-7 trend)


Connect with Us


If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!


Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


Ep. 391: 2025 Wrap-Up: Our Biggest Laughs, Struggles and What We Didn’t See Coming

Mon, 29 Dec 2025

As 2025 comes to an end, Laura and Shanna reflect on their last 12 months of parenting with honesty, humor and insight in the special segment "Year in Review." As they look back on 2025, they share their biggest laughs, unexpected wins and surprising realizations, including the hilarious thing Laura's kids taught her this year, the shocking incident that sums up the vibe of Shanna's year, their favorite shows of 2025 and more! Also, Laura reports on her family's recent trip to Hawaii, and Shanna talks about how she got her kids involved in Thanksgiving meal prep. Finally, they share their BFPs or BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Taking a family trip with kids (the good, the chaotic and the realistic expectations)
  • Thanksgiving routines that feel doable instead of overwhelming
  • Letting kids help more at home, especially during the holidays, and why that matters
  • "Mommy Magic" and making the invisible work visible for our kids
  • Looking back at 2025 and reflecting on what this year actually felt like
  • Small parenting wins that didn’t feel like a big deal at the time
  • Things our kids taught us this year (sometimes on purpose, sometimes not)
  • Finding ways to have fun again as adults, not just planning fun for our kids
  • Navigating change, transitions and feeling pulled in a million directions
  • Media, shows and pop culture that brought comfort, laughter or escape
  • Looking ahead to the new year with intentions about how we want to feel
  • A vacation activity that will create a core memory
  • A fun board game to play with your family


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Pasadena's Celebration of the Young Child

-"Your Friend, Nate Bargatze" special on Netflix

-Lita the dog on TikTok

-Clara Batten on TikTok

-Perimenopause

-Baader-Meinhof phenomenon (aka Frequency Illusion)

-Rainbow Baby

-"Five Nights at Freddy's"

-"Ordinary" by Alex Warren

-"Severance"

-"The Chair Company"

-"The Carpool Detectives"

-Snorkle Bob's

-Humuhumunukunukuapua'a fish

-Telestrations


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 362 - (Shanna gets a concussion from a soccer ball)

-Ep. 381 - (Laura hosts a booth at the Pasadena Celebration of the Young Child)

-Ep. 221 - (Shanna and Laura go to a rage room)

-Ep. 378 - (Laura adopts her new kitten, Pumpkin)

-Ep. 355 - (Shanna tells her daughter about the Leprechaun and Santa)

-Ep. 356 - (Where Shanna tells her daughter about being a "Rainbow Baby")


Connect with Us


If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!


Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


Ep. 390: Holiday Q&A: Traditions, Santa, Gifts and More!

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

It’s Christmas week, and Shanna and Laura get festive answering listeners' holiday-themed questions in the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox!" They answer questions about handling the logistics of Santa, managing sibling jealousy during the gift-giving season, whether to do Elf on the Shelf and more! During the check-in, they share their families' plans for the holiday and discuss their gift ideas for their kids, their husbands (and each other!). In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox: Holiday Q&A," Laura and Shanna. Finally, they share their BFPs or BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Navigating holiday overwhelm while juggling work, parenting and year-end transitions
  • Should I keep Christmas plans low-key and realistic or go all-out?
  • Holiday activities that help kids burn energy (and parents stay sane)
  • Navigating the mental load of gift-giving and holiday expectations
  • How kids’ interests change faster than we can shop
  • Whether or not to exchange gifts with other adults
  • The pressure to give “perfect” gifts vs. embracing simpler ones
  • Family traditions we carried over from childhood - and new ones we’re creating now
  • Holiday light displays as a new seasonal tradition
  • Elf on the Shelf: love it, hate it, or skip it entirely
  • How different families handle Santa
  • Big gifts vs. small gifts (and who should get the credit)
  • Fairness, siblings and navigating different ages during the holidays
  • Deciding which holiday expectations are actually worth the effort
  • Blending holiday traditions from different backgrounds
  • Finding ways to make the season feel special without overdoing it


Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Tiny Chef

-Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Lights

-LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

-5 Nights at Freddy's Costume

-Harry Potter Legos

-Kids Pottery Wheel

-Labubu

-Menorahs at Target

-The Boar's Head Carol

-The Alex Theater


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 343 - (Where Shanna talks about giving her kids a trampoline for Christmas)


Connect with Us


If you enjoyed this episode, help spread the word by sharing the show or leaving a review. Thank you!


Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


Ep. 389: Metamorphosis

Mon, 15 Dec 2025

In the special segment "Would You Rather," Shanna and Laura present hypothetical parenting situations and then discuss which choices they would rather make, diving into the topics of bringing your kids to your own doctor's appointments, handling your kids' questionable choices in music and more! Also, Laura reports on her 6-year-old's first week at his brand-new school, and Shanna gives an update on the caterpillar that her first grader unexpectedly brought home a few weeks ago. Finally, Laura and Shanna share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6.5 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6.5 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

-When you child starts a new school in the middle of the school year

-When your child brings home a caterpillar to take care of and observe turn into a butterfly

-Should I take my kids to my doctor's appointment with me?

-When your kids constantly request music that you don't want to hear

-Unexpected drama that prevents you from leaving the house on time with your kids

-Taking life expectancy into consideration when getting a new pet for your family


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Caterpillar to Butterfly Grow Kits

-"Jaws Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by John Williams

-"Beetlejuice Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Danny Elfman

-"My Bum Is Itchy" song by Poopy Man

-"Macaroni with the Chicken Strips" song by Undignified Baby

-Hamster Rolling Ball toy

-Ball python lifespan

-"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" by Gia Gambaro Blount and Laura Birek

-Amanda Troop, Voiceover Artist


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 258 (Where Shanna talks about the softball party disaster when Cece was four)


This episode's full show notes can be found here.


Want to get in touch with Shanna and Laura? Send us an email and follow us on social! Instagram, Facebook or TikTok at @bfppodcast


Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.


Visit our website!


Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.


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