Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting JourneyParenting

Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

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Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Ep. 402: Just You Wait

Mon, 16 Mar 2026

In the new special segment “Just You Wait,” Laura and Shanna flip the usual fear-mongering script about parenting older kids and share some of the things that get better as children grow up. Also, Shanna gives an update on Cece’s ear-piercing saga, and Laura reports on her 5-year-old's ENT appointment to discuss his ear tubes. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a family board game that turned out to be a huge hit and a delightfully bizarre piece of "junk mail." Shanna’s kids are 7 and 10 years old, and Laura’s kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Following through on something scary and being proud of yourself
  • Going to the ENT to discuss ear tubes for your child
  • Using a digital otoscope at home
  • The things that get more fun and entertaining as kids get older
  • The joy of kids becoming more independent with snacks and bedtime reading
  • Sweet ways older kids show love and affection
  • How much easier life gets when you can leave the room without constant worry
  • Watching your child stick with an activity and build real skills over time
  • A family board game that helps kids practice money skills
  • A hilarious prank-mail


Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:


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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. 401: Haunted by the Past

Mon, 09 Mar 2026

In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying?," Shanna and Laura explore the things that have brought out the waterworks in their little ones recently, including situations in the distant past that seem to have induced an anxiety attack and a jealousy-induced meltdown. Also, Laura is skeptical about her son's newest extracurricular activity, and Shanna is surprised by the incident that leaves her daughter looking "like a pirate." Finally, the moms wrap up with their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a joyous celebration at the park and a volunteer position that actually sounds fun. Shanna’s kids are 10 and 7 years old, and Laura’s kids are 7 and 5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Signing your kid up for an extracurricular activity that requires a big time commitment
  • Dads taking the lead on planning activities for the kids
  • Getting your kids' ears pierced
  • Handling your child's anxiety and allowing them to make their own decisions about their body
  • Can a traumatic situation that happened when your child was a baby or toddler still affect them?
  • When your child feels extreme jealousy toward their sibling
  • Navigating your kids' big feelings about something seemingly trivial
  • Setting rules about screen time and how your kids handle those rules
  • Having a joint birthday party for your kids
  • Volunteering for your kids' extracurricular activity


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:


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. 400: 400th Episode: You Asked, We Answered

Mon, 02 Mar 2026

Laura and Shanna celebrate their 400th episode of "Big Fat Positive" with a very special "Checkin' the Inbox" segment, in which they answer listener questions sent in via voice memo! They dive into the topics of baby naming, deciding whether to have a second child, the parenting “rules” they swore they’d never break and more! Also, Shanna recaps Elle’s 10th birthday celebrations, and Laura shares a sweet sibling moment during Sebastian’s 5th birthday trip. Finally, the moms wrap up with their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a party activity that will excite all your guests and an ingenious way to brush up on your foreign-language skills during your kids' bedtime. Shanna’s kids are 10 and 7 years old, and Laura’s kids are 7 and 5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Celebrating 400 episodes of Big Fat Positive
  • Big birthday milestones
  • How the podcast has changed our lives
  • Handling the decision about going from having more than one child
  • Baby names we love
  • Fun ideas for your kids' birthday parties
  • Graphic novels to read with your kids
  • A unique idea for brushing up on your foreign-language skills


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:


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. 399: Breaking Up With Your Mom Group

Mon, 23 Feb 2026

In the special segment “Internet Insanity,” Shanna and Laura share the wild and wacky content they've found online recently, including a baby name that has risen to fame for a surprising reason and a mom-group breakup of epic proportions. Also, Laura shares how a Percy Jackson obsession turned into a spontaneous after-school trip with her kids, and Shanna talks about the device that enabled her 9-year-old to arrange her own play date. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including family outings at two Los Angeles landmarks, one beautiful and one bizarre. Shanna’s kids are 7 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 7 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • A spontaneous after-school adventure with your kids
  • When your kid starts planning their own social life
  • Giving your child a “just enough” phone for safety and texting friends
  • 2025's name of the year and what it says about baby naming trends
  • Toxic mom-group drama, celebrity edition
  • Keeping longtime friendships going as parents
  • Fun, unusual day trips around Los Angeles with kids


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:


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. 398: Embracing "Mom Mode"

Mon, 16 Feb 2026

In the special segment “Mom Wins,” Laura and Shanna celebrate their recent parenting achievements, including a clever chemistry-based solution that saved bath time and a surprising moment of jumping into action to help a stranger. Also, Shanna checks in about adjusting to a new chapter now that the kids are back at school and she must figure out what’s next after leaving her job, while Laura shares an unexpected weekend saga that took a sharp turn. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a full agenda “mommy camp” day and a new hobby that’s quickly becoming a kid’s entire personality. Shanna’s kids are 7 and 9.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 7 years old and 4.5 years old.


Topics discussed in this episode:

  • Adjusting to life after leaving your job and figuring out what's next
  • Giving yourself permission to have a “fallow period” after a big work/life shift
  • Handling your kid's sudden and mysterious medical symptoms while far from home
  • Solving kid “fairness” problems before they become full-blown meltdowns
  • Citric acid: what it is, how to use it and why Laura swears by it
  • When motherhood changes how you respond in an urgent situation
  • Planning an all-day outing with kids to avoid a wide-open day at home
  • Watching your kid fall in love with a new hobby


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:


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.


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