Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

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 flairFun ideas for a 7-year-old's birthday partyGetting kids together for a cozy “fake sleepover” nightReality TV crews, on-set romances and an unexpected family-friendly workplaceThe origins of the Tooth Fairy and the traditions that came before herWhether or not to send your kids to day camp over the winter breakDiscovering and using your employer's benefits for subsidized childcareWhen your child shows sudden changes in independence, fears and anxietyProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:6-7 trendPusheen the cat"Captain Underpants" moviePeople Magazine article: The Real Love Island? Survivor Crew Romances Have Led to 67 Babies...""Survivor" TV showForbes article: Where Did the Tooth Fairy Come From?Developmental leaps in childrenPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:Ep. 383 - (Shanna and Laura discuss the origins of the 6-7 trend)Connect with UsFollow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcastJoin our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.comEmail us: [email protected] 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 overwhelmingLetting kids help more at home, especially during the holidays, and why that matters"Mommy Magic" and making the invisible work visible for our kidsLooking back at 2025 and reflecting on what this year actually felt likeSmall parenting wins that didn’t feel like a big deal at the timeThings 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 kidsNavigating change, transitions and feeling pulled in a million directionsMedia, shows and pop culture that brought comfort, laughter or escapeLooking ahead to the new year with intentions about how we want to feelA vacation activity that will create a core memoryA fun board game to play with your familyProducts, 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-TelestrationsPast 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 UsFollow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcastJoin our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.comEmail us: [email protected] 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 transitionsShould 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 expectationsHow kids’ interests change faster than we can shopWhether or not to exchange gifts with other adultsThe pressure to give “perfect” gifts vs. embracing simpler onesFamily traditions we carried over from childhood - and new ones we’re creating nowHoliday light displays as a new seasonal traditionElf on the Shelf: love it, hate it, or skip it entirelyHow different families handle SantaBig gifts vs. small gifts (and who should get the credit)Fairness, siblings and navigating different ages during the holidaysDeciding which holiday expectations are actually worth the effortBlending holiday traditions from different backgroundsFinding ways to make the season feel special without overdoing itProducts, 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 TheaterPast BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:-Ep. 343 - (Where Shanna talks about giving her kids a trampoline for Christmas)Connect with UsFollow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcastJoin our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.comEmail us: [email protected] 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 "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 familyProducts, 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 ArtistPast 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 @bfppodcastJoin 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.

In the special segment "Big Topic," Laura shares a difficult decision she made recently that affects her entire family. She discusses the first moment that her gut instinct signalled that things were amiss in this particular situation as well as the events leading up to the decision. Also, Shanna talks about a smaller scale, but still significant, tough choice she recently made to take care of herself. 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:-Making tough decisions to take care of yourself and your kids-Learning from your past mistakes as a mom-Knowing when to trust your gut as a mom-What to do when your child is having a hard time at school-How to talk to your kids about a big change-Two fantastic, funny picture books for kidsProducts, links, resources mentioned in this episode:-Doheny State Beach Campsite-"Bathe the Cat" by Alice B. McGinty, Illustrated by David Roberts-"Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature" by Nathan W. Pyle-Nathan W. Pyle on InstagramThis 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 @bfppodcastJoin 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.