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. 404: Can I Get My Kids to Do Chores?

Mon, 30 Mar 2026

In the special segment "They Said What?!" Shanna and Laura discuss the funny, outrageous or offensive things people have said to them recently, including a surprisingly sentimental comment about Laura's upcoming travel plans and a shocking outburst in a grocery-store parking lot. Also, Shanna reports on her kids' new chore routine, and Laura talks about her anxiety leading up to her first grader's school performance. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a fun dinner activity for the family and a big school transition. 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:

  • Implementing a reward system at home with your kids
  • Having your kids do chores around the house
  • Questioning your own parenting decisions based on someone else's opinion
  • Angering a stranger in public
  • Can being a mom change your brain
  • Funny things kids say
  • Making homemade sushi
  • Transitioning from preschool to TK


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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. 403: Tooth Talk, Jump Scares and FOMO

Mon, 23 Mar 2026

In the special segment "OMG I'm Freaking Out!," Shanna and Laura reveal the current parenting dilemmas that have their hair standing on end, including an unexpected sight on Shanna’s school communication app and a travel conundrum that is stressing Laura out. Also, Laura reports on her son’s back-to-back tooth loss that has left him with a double gap, and Shanna checks in on her daughter’s surprising trip to the dentist to get her cavities filled. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a fun kids craft and a trip to Vegas. 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:

  • What to do when your kid loses a tooth right before bed
  • What happens when your kid loses a tooth at school
  • When your child needs to get cavities filled
  • Seeing something confusing and unsettling on your school communication app
  • Deciding whether to travel solo or with your family
  • The joy of your child expressing interest in something you love
  • Taking a trip to Las Vegas


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. 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:


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. 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.


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