Big Fat Positive: Pregnancy and Parenting (BFP)

Bonus: Listener Questions - Having Another Baby, Sibling Conflict, Baby Personality Traits and More!

Thu, 16 Jul 2026

Shanna and Laura answer listener questions on everything from what your child's personality at 15 months might tell you about who they'll become, to ideas for handling sibling conflict, to whether it's harder to go from zero to one child or one to two, and more!

Topics discussed in this episode:

• What your baby's personality at 1-2 years old might tell you about who they'll become

• How BFP episode lengths are determined (and why they aim for 50 minutes)

• Favorite and least favorite phases of parenting

• The threenager phase: why three might be the hardest age

• Canadian and Romanian/EU dual citizenship: Laura's situation explained

• Ideas for managing sibling fighting

• Using specific praise as a tool for reinforcing good sibling behavior

• Teaching your younger child not to take the bait from an older sibling

• Deciding to have another child

• Transitioning from zero to one child vs. one to two

• The surprising music our kids are loving right now

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• "The Ghost Ship That Didn't Carry Us" by Cheryl Strayed - The essay Laura recommends for anyone deciding whether to have a second child

• The Greatest Showman soundtrack

• "This Is Me" by Keala Settle

• Weezer's Blue Album

• Indiana Jones soundtrack by John Williams

• "The Rocky Road to Dublin" from the Sinners soundtrack

• "The Wellerman - Sea Shanty" by Nathan Evans

• BFP Episode 110 - Deciding to Have Another Baby

• BFP Episode 415 Extras on Patreon - Includes the outtake story about Laura's brother Jeff completing a map project at the last minute

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. 419: Serious Talks in Silly Places

Mon, 13 Jul 2026

In the special segment "Never Have I Ever," Shanna and Laura reveal the unexpected things they've done recently that they never imagined doing before having kids, including navigating an awkward conversation in a public place. Also, Laura reports on her 7-year-old's last week of first grade, and Shanna solves a months-long medical mystery involving her daughter's toe. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 7.5 and 10 years old, and Laura's kids are 7 years old and 5 years old.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• The last week of first grade

• How to pack for a solo international trip

• Figuring out what is going on with your kid's toe

• Medical pedicures: what are they and are they worth it

• Hiding things from your kids (for their own safety)

• Age-appropriate explanations for things you weren't ready to explain yet

• Clothing rental subscriptions

• An item that makes packing your kid's lunches easier

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Sex Positive Families

• useacondom.com

• Nate the Hoof Guy on TikTok

• Nuuly clothing rental

• Bentgo Buddies reusable ice packs

Connect with Us:

• Become a Patreon member to access ad-free episodes, bonus content, live hangouts and more!

• 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. 418: Impulse Control

Mon, 06 Jul 2026

In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox," Laura and Shanna answer listener questions about staving off sickness when you're a parent, managing your child's impulsive behaviors, knowing when your child needs speech therapy, and more! Also, Shanna reports on an action-packed getaway to Ojai and Santa Barbara with her mom and girls, and Laura shares two updates about her 5-year-old, including a drawing milestone and a dollar-store hack that's been a hit. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. 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:

• Should I give my child a structured or unstructured summer break?

• A SoCal weekend getaway that is close to Los Angeles and FUN!

• Family-friendly activities in Ojai and Santa Barbara

• The benefits of taking your kids on adventures in nature

• Getting your child an eye exam

• When your child suddenly has a leap in drawing skills

• Ideas for how to stay healthy and avoid sickness when you are a parent

• Situations that make you feel uncool as a mom

• How do you know if your child needs speech therapy?

• How does impulsive behavior manifest in children with ADHD?

• Tips for handling impulsive behavior

• Audiobooks and podcasts we currently love

• A fun, local, family activity - mini golf

• The best affordable sunscreen that your kids will actually like

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lake Casitas kayak rentals

• Santa Barbara Zoo

• Land Shark Tours Santa Barbara

• BFP Episode 75 - where Shanna first talks about being intimidated by teenagers

• The ADHD Parenting Podcast

• Mike McLeod: Executive Function-ADHD Specialist

• Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT)

• Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke

• Famesick: A Memoir by Lena Dunham

• Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz

• Love Trapped podcast

• Search Engine podcast episode - "Why doesn't anybody come to my parties?"

• The Interview podcast episode - "Robby Hoffman Will Always Feel Poor, No Matter How Rich She Gets"

• If Books Could Kill podcast

• Since You Asked podcast

• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone by Lori Gottlieb

• Sherman Oaks Castle Park Mini Golf

• Trader Joe's Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen

• Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen

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. 417: Just Say No!

Mon, 29 Jun 2026

In the special segment "Dear Past Me," Shanna and Laura turn back time to give their former selves parenting advice based on what they know now, including wisdom about kids' haircuts and handmade crafts. Also, Laura checks in about the surprising reason her child woke her up in the middle of the night, and Shanna gives updates about her daughter's student council run and talent-show debut. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. 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:

• Weird reasons you get woken up in the middle of the night when you're a parent

• Processing emotions about your child's last year of preschool

• When your child runs for student council

• Preparing your child for a talent show

• Whether to give your child bangs

• Handling your child's deep emotional attachment to an object

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Underwood Family Farms

• Vertigo by Beach Bunny

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. a

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

Ep. 416: Bringing Home the Class Pets

Mon, 22 Jun 2026

In the special segment “What I Googled This Week,” Laura and Shanna reveal the funny and embarrassing things they've asked the internet recently, including questions about an unusual DIY craft project and an unexpected singing technique. Also, Shanna reports on the drama surrounding her family's turn at chick-sitting the class pets, and Laura talks about her 5-year-old's ear tube and adenoid surgery. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. 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:

• Taking home your child's classroom pets for the night

• Ear tube and adenoid surgery

• The unexpected how-to videos we Googled this week

• When your child picks up a new hobby

• Two fun films that our kids love watching

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

• Lifetimes by Bryan Mellonie

• Children's Hospital Los Angeles

• Wicked Aviary Plague Doctor DIY Tutorial

• Vertigo by Beach Bunny

• Matilda (1996)