Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Ep. 411: When Is It Time to Quit?

Mon, 18 May 2026

Laura checks in on her 7-year-old's Little League season, and Shanna reports on a volunteer experience at her daughter's school that is somehow both underwhelming and overstimulating. Also, in the special segment "Loose Ends," Shanna and Laura give updates about topics they've talked about previously, including needy phases, screen time, hair care and more! Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including an exciting event in Southern California and an ordinary kitchen tool that can make food exciting for kids. 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:

• Letting your partner take the lead on kids' activities

• When your child refuses to go to their sports games and practices

• Volunteering at your kids' school

• Does Laura feel like switching her kids' school was worth it?

• Handling your child's needy/clingy phases

• Dealing with screen time setbacks

• Tips for managing fine hair

• Volunteering as team DJ

• Fixing a broken tooth

• Taking your kids to an exciting car racing event in Southern California

• How an ordinary kitchen tool can make food fun for kids

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grand Prix of Long Beach

• OXO Peeler

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 388 - Laura shares her decision to switch her boys' schools.

• Ep. 392 - Laura discusses Sebastian's emotional/needy phase.

• Ep. 393 - Shanna talks about the fine hair subreddit.

• Ep. 395 - Laura reports on the PlayStation being introduced to her kids.

• Ep. 401 - Shanna talks about taking on the role of softball team DJ for the spring season.

• Ep. 408 - Shanna reports on losing a tooth crown while flossing.

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

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

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

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. 410: Rage Bait

Mon, 11 May 2026

Shanna and Laura talk bizarre pregnancy infographics and shockingly bad mom "hacks" in the special segment "Internet Insanity." Also, Shanna recounts a tumultuous week of getting her 7-year-old started on a new medication, and Laura reports on some unexpected news from her 5-year-old's ENT appointment. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a spontaneous neighborhood adventure and a long-overdue outing to a beloved Los Angeles children's museum. 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:

• Strategies for helping your child start a new, daily medication

• Navigating ADHD medication side effects and adjustments

• Figuring out if your child needs ear tubes put in

• What are adenoids, and why do kids get them removed?

• Terrible AI-generated health content online

• Questionable parenting "hacks" on Facebook

• Getting out of a rut: "capital A activities" for kids in Los Angeles

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• The ADHD Parenting Podcast

• Ruchi Singh - Facebook creator of terrible AI pregnancy posts

• Questionable kids' natural makeup hack

• Questionable swim diaper hack

• Hopia Like It - Filipino bakery Shanna discovered on a neighborhood walk with Cece

• KidSpace Children's Museum - Laura's BFP outing in Pasadena

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 405 - Where Shanna and Laura talk about ADHD

• Ep. 402 - Where Laura talks about taking Sebastian to the ENT to discuss the status of his ear tubes at age 5

• Ep. 266 - Where Laura reports on Sebastian's ear tube surgery at age 2

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

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

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

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. 409: Impulsive Decisions

Mon, 04 May 2026

Laura reports on her family's rocky journey home from Mexico and the effects it had on her kids, and Shanna talks about how her daughter's adorable Easter egg hunt took an unexpected turn. Also, in the special segment "Throwback," Shanna shares two stories about how her impulsive decisions as a child disrupted her family's vacations. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a long-overdue errand Laura finally checked off her list and a spontaneous project Cece took on that made Shanna's heart sing. 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:

• How to keep your kids occupied during a long travel day

• Handling sibling jealousy during spring break

• Taking kids to birthday parties when they're overtired and dysregulated

• Sending your kids to day camp during school breaks

• Impulsive childhood decisions

• When best-laid vacation plans go wrong

• Letting your child take ownership of a project

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Johnny Rockets (Restaurant in the Cancun airport)

• "Meat tenderizer in the acute treatment of imported fire ant stings" - Article from the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1987

• Pinetop, Arizona - Where Shanna's family vacationed

• Best Jewelry and Watch Repair, Glendale — Laura's ring resizing recommendation

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 386 - Where Shanna shares the hack of keeping an Oh Shit kit in your car

• Ep. 397 - Where Shanna talks about her girls attending "field trip" camp over winter break

• Ep. 408 - Where Laura shares a Throwback story about the time her family went on vacation to an all-inclusive Club Med resort in Mexico

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

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

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

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. 408: Land Cruise

Mon, 27 Apr 2026

In the special segment "Throwback," Laura recounts a family trip to Club Med in Mexico when she was 13 that involved hypnosis, trapeze and forbidden love. Also, Shanna faces the consequences of packing too many family plans into one Saturday, and Laura shares the revelation that allowed her to fully enjoy her family's spring-break trip to Mexico. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including late-night tooth trauma and more. 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:

• Over-planning your weekend (and paying the price)

• Travelling with a selective/picky eater

• Vacationing at an all-inclusive resort with kids

• Growing up at 13: crushes, trapeze, and the last family trip before everything changed

• Dog training: getting the whole family on the same page

• Dental health hacks for people who hate flossing

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Dreams Aventuras Riviera Maya - The all-inclusive resort Laura and fam stayed at during their vacation in Mexico

• Agoutis - the cute critters Laura's family saw during their trip

• Waterpik Sonic-Fusion 2.0 toothbrush - The toothbrush Laura uses that gets her a gold star at the dentist

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Ep. 281 - Where Laura shares a Throwback story about the time her family found what they thought was a baby osprey while vacationing on the Jersey shore.

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more! patreon.com/bfppodcast

• Follow us on social: Instagram, TikTok or Facebook at @bfppodcast

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

• Visit our website: bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Email us: contact@bigfatpositivepodcast.com

• Send us a voice message: speakpipe.com/bfppodcast

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. 407: What's in Your Bag?

Mon, 20 Apr 2026

In the brand-new special segment "What's in Your Bag?," Laura and Shanna dig deep to discover the hilarious items that only parents would have lurking at the bottoms of their purses and bags, including a soggy sensation that made Shanna recoil and the sad remains of a once-glorious creation that Laura remembers fondly. Also, Laura reports on her 5-year-old's progress in his new TK classroom, and Shanna checks in on her family's action-packed weekend in San Diego. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week, including a fancy purchase Laura made just for herself and a dinner experience that Shanna was surprisingly delighted by. 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:

• Transitioning your child to a new classroom mid-year

• Kids' sports: what to expect from Little League at age 7

• Planning low-key family weekend trips in Southern California

• What's really at the bottom of a mom's bag

• Setting up a home sewing and craft room

• Reclaiming pre-kids hobbies as a parent

• Credit card points: a secret weapon for personal splurges

• Taking your kids to live music at dinner

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Savannah Bananas

• Museum of Illusions