Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Ep. 379: Today's Meltdown Is Brought to You by...

Mon, 06 Oct 2025

In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying?," Shanna and Laura explore the situations that have brought out the waterworks in their little ones recently, including unexpected morning meltdowns, big feelings about inanimate objects and more! Also in this episode, Laura discusses the trials and tribulations of naming a family pet, and Shanna reports on a weekend road trip with her kids to see a unique sporting event. Finally, Shanna and Laura 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:

-Laura and family decide on a name for their new kitten

-Shanna and family take a road trip to San Diego

-The unpredictability of kids' emotions

-How to handle major meltdowns right before school starts

-Reviews for Laura's book "Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent"

-A fun museum to go to with kids in San Diego

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Savannah Bananas

-Maragritaville Hotel San Diego

-NetGalley

-"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" on NetGalley

-Museum of Illusions

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 378 - (For the episode where Laura adopts a new 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.

https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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

Ep. 378: Your Potty-Training Questions Answered!

Mon, 29 Sep 2025

To celebrate the release of Laura's new book "Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent," she and her co-author, Gia Gambaro Blount, answer listener questions all about potty training! They dive into the topics of when to know if your child is ready to start training, how to handle long car rides during the process, how to handle your child's reluctance to poop in the potty and more. Also in this episode, Laura reports on adding a new (and very cute) member to her family, and Shanna discusses getting down and dirty to improve her family's front yard. Finally, Shanna and Laura 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:

-Shanna's unexpected way of working out stress, feelings and grief after a loss

-The newest member of Laura's family

-Advice for when your child is having trouble pooping in the potty

-What age to start potty training your child

-Tips for long car rides when you are potty training your child

-Shanna's surprising playdate

-Laura's school project

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-"Good to Go: A Fresh Take on Potty Training for Today's Intentional Parent" by Gia Gambaro Blount and Laura Birek

-Good to Go Parenting Website

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 339 (For the 2024 Year in Review episode, where Shanna hopes to hire a gardener)

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!

https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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. 377: Hiring a Babysitter

Mon, 22 Sep 2025

In the special segment "Mom Wins!," Laura and Shanna celebrate their recent parenting achievements, including surprising successes inside a hotel lobby, at a big-kid's birthday party, in the presence of a claw machine and more! Also, Laura dives into a late-night crafting project that blows the minds of many children (and adults), and Shanna hires a non-family babysitter for the very first time. Finally, the moms 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:

-KPop Demon Hunters

-Making crafts on the Cricut

-Hiring babysitters

-Allowing self-expression in your children

-Managing your kids' meltdowns

-Hiring food-delivery robots

-Finding time and space for hobbies when you're a mom

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-KPop Demon Hunters Movie on Netflix

-"The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case" by Chuck Hogan

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 350 (For the episode where Shanna talks about her family's trip to Lake Arrowhead)

-Ep. 347 (For the episode where Shanna talks about taking Cece to an ice-skating party)

-Ep. 371 (For the episode where Laura talks about discovering food-delivery robots in her neighborhood)

-Ep. 19 (For the episode where Laura talks about spinning wool - before it made her nauseous)

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.

https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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

Ep. 376: Talking to Your Kids About Loss

Mon, 15 Sep 2025

In the special segment “Stump the Moms,” Shanna and Laura quiz each other with parenting-related trivia questions about gender representation in kids' books, the cost of high-end summer camps and more. Also, Shanna talks about the passing of a beloved family member, how she told her kids about the loss and how they processed their grief. Laura discusses the ups and downs of her 4-year-old's first week in TK at a new school. Finally, the moms 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:

-Telling your kids about the death of a family member

-Surprising ways that kids process and handle grief

-Easing your 4-year-old into their first week of elementary school ever

-Fun facts about kids' books authors

-Summer camp trends

-Gendered characters in kids' books

-Sensitive vs. resilient kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-"Bears Will Be Boys: A data analysis of animal gender in children’s books" article in The Pudding

-Port O'Pines Summer Camp

-"The Orchid and the Dandelion: Why Some Children Struggle and How All Can Thrive" book by W. Thomas Boyce, M.D.

-Different Pointe of View restaurant

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 375 (For the episode where Shanna talks about her family's trip to Phoenix)

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.

https://bit.ly/bfp-inito

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

Ep. 375: Puberty 101

Mon, 08 Sep 2025

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 puberty, kids' casinos, inappropriate words and more. Also, Laura reports on her family's action-packed week without childcare, and Shanna discusses how she handled taking her children on a trip to visit an ill grandparent. Finally, the moms 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:

-How to fill time with your kids during summer break

-Fun things to do around LA with kids

-Taking a family trip to visit an ill family member

-How to tell my child that their grandparent is sick?

-Questioning whether words and phrases are socially acceptable

-Deep diving into the world's cutest animal

-Educating your kids about puberty, periods and the menstrual cycle

-Video-game strategy (for moms)

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Peterson Automotive Museum

-La Brea Tar Pits