Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

In the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Laura and Shanna reveal the unexpected things they've never done before having kids, including a desperate attempt to complete a puzzle in inclement weather and a disturbing doctor's appointment that ended in tears. Also, Shanna talks about her attempts to have a low-key Christmas, and Laura reports on her family's festive week of ice dancing and dreidel spinning. 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:
Last-minute holiday decorating and keeping expectations low
A kid getting sick right before Christmas and deciding when to go to urgent care
Taking your kids to festive holiday events
Celebrating Hanukkah with friends
When you realize you are doing something wacky and unreasonable as a parent
Tough doctor visits with kids
Navigating fear, consent and advocating for your child in a medical setting
How kids misunderstand medical “threats” and why wording matters
A funny public moment involving a kids’ character and an unexpected song choice
Volunteering at your kid's school and reading a funny picture book to your kid's class
A parenting win: getting your kid re-engaged in an extracurricular activity

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:
Disney on Ice
How to Play Dreidel
Kanoodle - Brain Teaser Puzzle
Museum of Illusions
Blippi
"Fat Bottomed Girls" by Queen
"The Book That Almost Rhymed" by Omar Abed

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:
Ep. 379 - (Shanna talks about going to the Museum of Illusions)
Ep. 358 - (Laura talks about Auggie quitting parkour and starting jiu-jitsu)

Connect with Us
Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast
Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.
Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com
Email us: [email protected]

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.

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:
Flint Peak Trail
"Big Fish" movie
The Baby-Sitter's Club #33: "Claudia and the Great Search"
"Flashback" (Shanna's short film)
Shanna's Website
Fine Hair Subreddit
Pomeranian Subreddit

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
Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast
Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.
Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com
Email us: [email protected]

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.

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:
6-7 trend
Pusheen the cat
"Captain Underpants" movie
People Magazine article: The Real Love Island? Survivor Crew Romances Have Led to 67 Babies..."
"Survivor" TV show
Forbes article: Where Did the Tooth Fairy Come From?
Developmental leaps in children

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:
Ep. 383 - (Shanna and Laura discuss the origins of the 6-7 trend)

Connect with Us
Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast
Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.
Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com
Email us: [email protected]

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.

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
Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast
Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.
Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com
Email us: [email protected]

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.

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
Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast
Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.
Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com
Email us: [email protected]

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.