Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Latest Episodes:

Mom Confessions We Never Saw Coming - Ep. 362 Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

Laura and Shanna divulge their recent outrageous and embarrassing parenting moves in the special segment "Mom Confessions," diving into the topics of ridiculous parenting injuries and meltdown-avoidance moves. Also, Shanna reports on her puppylicious Mother's Day, and Laura discusses why Mother's Day fell off her radar this year. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Celebrating Mother's Day with your kids

-Puppy Yoga

-Handling your kids' seemingly trivial meltdowns

-Embarrassing parenting injuries

-Heating your above ground pool

-Taking your kids to the drive-thru carwash

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 Blame Game and a Breast Ultrasound Update - Ep. 361 Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment, "They Said What?!," Shanna and Laura report on the shocking, funny and questionable things people have said to them lately, including some unexpected advice about children's growth, a shocking toy-store declaration, an amusing accusation and more. Also, Laura discusses getting a breast ultrasound after having an inconclusive mammogram, and Shanna recounts an exasperating excursion with her 6-year-old. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Getting a breast ultrasound after having an inconclusive mammogram

-Spending one-on-one time with your child

-When your kids' blame inanimate objects for their injuries

-Encouraging your kids to be independent in public

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.

Navigating Your Child's Expectations vs. Reality - Ep. 360 May 26, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying?," Shanna and Laura explore the things that have caused their little ones to melt down recently, diving into the topics of Disneyland disappointments and fashion fails. Also, Shanna talks about how her kids reacted to their dad going out of town for a week, and Laura reports on how her family turned lemons into lemonade. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Parenting without your partner when they go out of town

-Celebrating Earth Day with your kids

-Setting up a lemonade stand with your kids

-Disappointing experiences at Disneyland

-Should I put fake nails on my kid?

-Bring your kid to work day

-Finding your true bra measurement

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 End of Extended Breastfeeding? - Ep. 359 May 19, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Loose Ends," Laura and Shanna give updates about topics they've talked about previously, including extended breastfeeding, bangs, book clubs and more! Also, Laura reports on taking her 6-year-old on the most thrilling ride of his life at California Adventure, and Shanna discusses how her 9-year-old handled her first Easter knowing the truth about the Easter Bunny. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-What to do on spring break with your kids

-Going to Disneyland and California Adventure with your family

-Celebrating Easter when your kid doesn't believe in the Easter Bunny anymore

-When your kids have strong feelings about their stuffed animals

-Letting your kids express themselves with hairstyles, piercings and more

-Has Laura stopped breastfeeding Sebastian?

-Considering adopting a new family dog

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.

Unhinged Parenting Hacks That Actually Work - Ep. 358 May 12, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "What the Hack?," Shanna and Laura share some of their favorite parenting tips and tricks, including ideas for cleaning up toys, improving bath time, encouraging cooperation and more! Also, Shanna reports on her questionable attempt to make her husband's life easier, and Laura talks about a big shakeup in her 6-year-old's extracurricular activity schedule. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Involving the whole family in big, impulsive decisions

-Knowing when to adjust your child's extracurricular activity schedule

-Tips, tricks and hacks for making parenting easier

-Tricks for cleaning toys, playrooms and kids' bedrooms

-How to easily tie balloons

-Ideas for getting your kids to cooperate during times of transition

-Family time in the backyard

-Date night with your partner

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.

Play Dates Gone Wild: Blood, Sweat and Tears - Ep. 357 May 05, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Dear Past Me," Laura and Shanna turn back time to give their former selves parenting advice based on what they know now, including wisdom about family pets and household appliances. Also, Shanna and Laura report on epic play dates that were longer, messier and more emotional than they had anticipated. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-What to do with your kids on a day off of school

-Having a play date at an indoor playground

-Managing your child's tween friendship drama

-Taking your dog to obedience training

-Clever idea for getting your kid to transition to bath and bedtime

-Going to the Tank Museum with your kids

-Getting your kids to throw away trash when they are in your car

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.

Explaining Miscarriage and Rainbow Babies to Your Child - Ep. 356 Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment “Stump the Moms,” Shanna and Laura quiz each other with trivia questions about bizarre school fundraisers, lengthy human pregnancies, fertility crime and more! Also, Shanna reports on talking to her 9-year-old daughter about rainbow babies and miscarriages, and Laura discusses the sporting events that got her family up and running. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-What is a rainbow baby?

-Talking to your kids about miscarriage, IVF and your pregnancy journey

-Volunteering at your child's annual fundraiser

-School fundraising events gone wrong

-Old-fashioned parenting advice from the 1920s

-Who is Kaitlyn Braun?

-Treatment for your child's exercise-induced bronchospasms

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.

Telling Kids the Truth About Santa, Sex and More - Ep. 355 Apr 21, 2025

Show notes

Laura and Shanna reveal the funny and unusual things they've asked the internet recently in the special segment "What I Googled This Week," diving into the topics of sex education and DIY projects. Also, Laura discusses the surprise that turned her family's trip to the botanical garden from dreary to delightful, and Shanna reports on how she handled her 9-year-old's direct line of questioning about Santa Claus. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Vestibular migraines

-Unexpected play dates

-St. Patrick's day, leprechauns and leprechaun traps

-When your child wants to know the truth about Santa

-DIY projects and ideas you have as a parent

-Sex education books for young kids

-Loog guitars

-Taking your kids to live theater

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.

Why Is School Communication So Confusing? - Ep. 354 Apr 14, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Gripe Water," Laura and Shanna share the hilariously petty parenting problems that have been bothering them lately, diving into the topics of confusing communication and cuckoo kids' songs. Also, Shanna reports on a crafting activity that had her entire family seeing green, and Laura discusses taking her first solo flight since becoming a parent. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Making leprechaun traps with your kids for St. Patrick's Day

-Going out of town without your kids

-Confusing communication from your kids' school

-Terrible kids' songs on Spotify

-Chapter book recommendation for emerging readers

-Making a handmade quilt for a baby shower gift

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.

A Haircut That Triggered Big Tears - Ep. 353 Apr 07, 2025

Show notes

In the special segment "Never Have I Ever: Parenting Edition," Shanna and Laura reveal funny and unexpected things they've never done before having kids, including giving out inappropriate items at a kids' party, using a children's couch for a risky DIY project and more! Also, Laura talks about living on the edge all week to see if her 4-year-old's cheek scratch will heal before his preschool picture day, and Shanna reports on her 6-year-old's big change that caused lots of tears. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 9 years old, and Laura’s kids are 6 years old and 4 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

-Preschool picture day

-How quickly kids' injuries heal

-Cutting your kids' bangs at home

-Buying kids' sticker packs on Amazon and regretting it

-Using the Nugget kids' couch in creative ways

-Fixing a broken baby monitor

-Parenting while having the flu

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!