Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Latest Episodes:

Having a Mom Meltdown in Public - Ep. 323 Sep 09, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment "Internet Insanity," Laura and Shanna dive into a mysterious company that sells breast pumps online and their bizarre social-media marketing strategy. Also, Laura reports on her 3-year-old's back-to-school meltdowns, and Shanna recounts her own mom meltdown that recently happened in a very public place. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-The challenges of sending your kids back to school

-When your preschooler doesn't want to go to school

-Sibling jealousy about lack of fairness

-Having embarrassing parenting moments in public

-Why we shouldn't judge other moms

-Taking a road trip with kids

-Shady companies selling baby and parenting products

-Is MomCozy a legit company?

-How to fix plantar fasciitis

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Screen-Time Scrutiny: When Others Are Judgmental - Ep. 322 Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment, "They Said What?!" Shanna and Laura discuss the funny, outrageous or offensive things people have said to them recently about parenting, including a scrutiny on screen time and a philosophy on floss; plus we dive into some surprising things WE said recently! Also, Shanna reports on her 5-year-old's infatuation with injuries, and Laura discusses how her family's recent vacation involved serious sleep struggles. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-When your kids get lots of boo-boos

-My kid uses too many band-aids

-Taking your kids on an airplane

-How to handle sleep when you travel with kids

-Weird things kids say

-Handling judgmental things people say about your parenting

-Embarrassing things you say as a mom

-Sharing interests with your kids

-Great places to go in Portland with Kids

-Hidden Creek Park West

-Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Life of a Working Mom - Ep. 321 Aug 26, 2024

Show notes

Laura and Shanna both dive into the topic of being working moms. Laura reports on the challenges of her freelance projects ramping up at the least ideal time, and Shanna reports on adjusting to returning to the office after working remotely for almost six years. Also, in the special segment "Loose Ends," Shanna and Laura give updates about topics they've talked about previously, including potty training, pom-pom jars, parkour and more! Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-The challenges of being a working mom

-Returning to the office after working remotely

-How to handle childcare when you are a working parent

-Potty training

-Should I let my kids do drop-off playdates?

-Visual calendars and clocks for kids

-Why is my child chewing on her hair?

-Making time for yourself when you're a mom

-Listening to audiobooks

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Your Kids Have Crushes - Ep. 320 Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment "Throwback," Shanna tells the story of the time in high school when she devised an elaborate plan to ask a boy she had a crush on to the Sadie Hawkins dance. Also, Laura reports on a family outing that made her realize how much her life has changed by having two rambunctious young boys, and Shanna gives an update on her regrettable, 12-month-long contract at the kids' tumbling studio. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-What to do when your kid stops liking their extracurricular activities

-How having energetic kids changes your life

-How to respond when your child tells you they have a crush

-Encouraging your kids' creativity in unexpected ways

-The importance of mom friends and community

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Kindergarten Best-Friend Drama and Preschool Graduation - Ep. 319 Aug 12, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment "Throwback," Laura tells the story of her very first best friend in Kindergarten and the turn of events in their friendship that broke her heart. Also, Shanna reports on her 5-year-old's language development, including the hilarious insults she coined, and Laura discusses the feelings that came up during her 3-year-old's preschool completion ceremony. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Preschool graduation/completion ceremony

-5-year-old experimentation with language

-Kids' funny insults

-Friendships in kindergarten

-Should I let my young daughter wear makeup

-Taking kids to Brick Fest

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Seeing the Future with "Mom ESP" - Ep. 318 Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

Shanna tells the story of a mishap during her rejuvenating "me day," and Laura reports on her family's unique way of celebrating the 4th of July. Also, in the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying," Shanna and Laura thoughtfully dissect the seemingly mundane situations that have caused their little ones to melt down recently, including big feelings about desert birds and swing sets. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Feeling overwhelm as a mom

-Taking a "me day" as a mom

-Finding a way to relax and recharge as a parent

-Spending the 4th of July with kids

-Understanding the deeper meaning behind your child's big feelings

-How to respond when your child expresses jealousy

-How to respond when your child expresses anxiety

-Kids musical theater

-Reaction to fireworks as a parent

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mom Anxiety and Letting Go of Perfect - Ep. 317 Jul 29, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment “Mom Confessions,” Laura and Shanna divulge their recent embarrassing and hilarious parenting moves, including a donut shop trip gone sideways, a Star Wars day gone awry, and more! Also, Laura reports on a revelation she had during a family outing to the beach, and Shanna decides to "let it go" when checking in on her kids' new summer camp. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Going to the beach with kids

-Mom anxiety

-Kids summer camp

-Frozen Jr.

-Moms admitting to embarrassing things they've done with their kids

-Public wading pools for kids

-Best above-ground swimming pools for kids

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

When Playdates Go Wrong - Ep. 316 Jul 22, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment “Stump the Moms,” Shanna and Laura grill each other with amusing and educational trivia questions involving surprising facts about Disney theme parks and the energy required to sustain a pregnancy. Also, Shanna reports on hosting a group play date that took a turn she never saw coming, and Laura discusses the big emotions her 3-year-old felt after experiencing a complicated social interaction. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Playdates

-When your child experiences social rejection

-How much energy does it take to sustain a pregnancy?

-How many calories does a pregnant person use to create a baby?

-Weird and surprising facts about Disney theme parks

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dear Past Me: Mom Friendships and Bedtime Routines - Ep. 315 Jul 15, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment "Dear Past Me," Laura and Shanna turn back time and give pregnancy and parenting advice to their past selves, including words of wisdom about creating friendships, doing bedtime routines, committing to extracurricular activities and more! Also, Laura reports on her 5-year-old's last week of school, and Shanna reports on the ironic event that almost ruined her kids' first week of summer camp. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Summer break

-Summer camp

-Swimmer's ear

-Tips for giving kids eardrops

-Developing friendships with other parents

-Having separate streaming accounts for your kids

-Committing to extracurricular activities for your kids

-How to do bedtime with both parents

-Taking first and last day of school photos

-Adopting a kitten

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 @bfppodcast

Join 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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Will Summer Break Break Us? Keeping Kids Busy - Ep. 314 Jul 08, 2024

Show notes

In the special segment "What I Googled This Week," Shanna and Laura reveal the hilarious and embarrassing things they have asked the internet lately, diving into the topics of kids' candy, fire safety, the pelvic floor and more! Also, Shanna reports on the ups and downs of taking her kids to a theme park all by herself, and Laura talks about the surprising turn of events at her son's school art walk. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Summer break

-Taking your kids to a theme park by yourself

-Elementary school art walk

-Young kids participating in theater and dance

-Googling embarrassing questions as a parent

-Family beach tips

-Baby fever

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 @bfppodcast

Join our Facebook community group for support and camaraderie on your parenting journey.

Visit our website!