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. 396: Can Laura Pull Off This Birthday Surprise?

Mon, 02 Feb 2026

In the special segment “What I Googled This Week,” Shanna and Laura reveal the funny and embarrassing things they've asked the internet recently, including a ridiculously juvenile question about astronomy and an out-of-the-ordinary query about a popular theme park. Also, Shanna checks in about a major life transition happening during a chaotic holiday week, and Laura talks about the big surprise she planned for Auggie's 7th birthday. Finally, they wrap up with their weekly BFPs and BFNs, including an outing that made the kids feel like they’d entered a magical new world and a holiday family tradition. 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:

  • Experiencing a big work/life change while still in full holiday-parent mode
  • Struggling to get your kids to take medicine
  • Auggie's 7th birthday
  • Pulling off a big surprise for your kid
  • Tips for going to Disneyland in the rain
  • What's the right way to pronounce “Uranus”
  • Do kids these days go to bookstores?
  • Taking your family to a fun holiday light show


Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:


Past BFP episodes referenced in this episode:

  • Ep. 364 (Where Shanna teaches Cece how to swallow pills)
  • Ep. 257 (Where Shanna struggles to get Cece to take medication)


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. 395: Stroller Envy

Mon, 26 Jan 2026

In the special segment "Gripe Water," Shanna and Laura share the hilariously petty parenting problems that have been bothering them lately, diving into the topics of stroller envy and screen time. Also, Laura reports on the people, gifts and baked goods that made her Christmas special, and Shanna talks about managing a hectic, cooped-up holiday week with a sick kid. Finally, they wrap up with their weekly BFPs and BFNs, including a fun family outing and an indoor activity that unexpectedly became a big hit. 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:

  • A low-key, rainy Christmas week and what it’s like hosting visiting family (and dogs)
  • Parenting your sick child during the holidays
  • Stroller envy: missing the days when you had a mobile cart for all your kid gear
  • Managing kids’ video game obsession, meltdowns, and tough transitions


Products, links, resources 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. 394: Advocating for Your Child at the Doctor

Mon, 19 Jan 2026

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:


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


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. 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.


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