As 2025 comes to an end, Laura and Shanna reflect on their last 12 months of parenting with honesty, humor and insight in the special segment "Year in Review." As they look back on 2025, they share their biggest laughs, unexpected wins and surprising realizations, including the hilarious thing Laura's kids taught her this year, the shocking incident that sums up the vibe of Shanna's year, their favorite shows of 2025 and more! Also, Laura reports on her family's recent trip to Hawaii, and Shanna talks about how she got her kids involved in Thanksgiving meal prep. Finally, they share their BFPs or 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:

• Taking a family trip with kids (the good, the chaotic and the realistic expectations)
• Thanksgiving routines that feel doable instead of overwhelming
• Letting kids help more at home, especially during the holidays, and why that matters
• "Mommy Magic" and making the invisible work visible for our kids
• Looking back at 2025 and reflecting on what this year actually felt like
• Small parenting wins that didn’t feel like a big deal at the time
• Things our kids taught us this year (sometimes on purpose, sometimes not)
• Finding ways to have fun again as adults, not just planning fun for our kids
• Navigating change, transitions and feeling pulled in a million directions
• Media, shows and pop culture that brought comfort, laughter or escape
• Looking ahead to the new year with intentions about how we want to feel
• A vacation activity that will create a core memory
• A fun board game to play with your family

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Pasadena's Celebration of the Young Child

-"Your Friend, Nate Bargatze" special on Netflix

-Lita the dog on TikTok

-Clara Batten on TikTok

-Perimenopause

-Baader-Meinhof phenomenon (aka Frequency Illusion)

-Rainbow Baby

-"Five Nights at Freddy's"

-"Ordinary" by Alex Warren

-"Severance"

-"The Chair Company"

-"The Carpool Detectives"

-Snorkle Bob's

-Humuhumunukunukuapua'a fish

-Telestrations

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 362 - (Shanna gets a concussion from a soccer ball)

-Ep. 381 - (Laura hosts a booth at the Pasadena Celebration of the Young Child)

-Ep. 221 - (Shanna and Laura go to a rage room)

-Ep. 378 - (Laura adopts her new kitten, Pumpkin)

-Ep. 355 - (Shanna tells her daughter about the Leprechaun and Santa)

-Ep. 356 - (Where Shanna tells her daughter about being a "Rainbow Baby")

Connect with Us

• 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: [email protected]

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.

It’s Christmas week, and Shanna and Laura get festive answering listeners' holiday-themed questions in the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox!" They answer questions about handling the logistics of Santa, managing sibling jealousy during the gift-giving season, whether to do Elf on the Shelf and more! During the check-in, they share their families' plans for the holiday and discuss their gift ideas for their kids, their husbands (and each other!). In the special segment "Checkin' the Inbox: Holiday Q&A," Laura and Shanna. Finally, they share their BFPs or 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:

• Navigating holiday overwhelm while juggling work, parenting and year-end transitions
• Should I keep Christmas plans low-key and realistic or go all-out?
• Holiday activities that help kids burn energy (and parents stay sane)
• Navigating the mental load of gift-giving and holiday expectations
• How kids’ interests change faster than we can shop
• Whether or not to exchange gifts with other adults
• The pressure to give “perfect” gifts vs. embracing simpler ones
• Family traditions we carried over from childhood - and new ones we’re creating now
• Holiday light displays as a new seasonal tradition
• Elf on the Shelf: love it, hate it, or skip it entirely
• How different families handle Santa
• Big gifts vs. small gifts (and who should get the credit)
• Fairness, siblings and navigating different ages during the holidays
• Deciding which holiday expectations are actually worth the effort
• Blending holiday traditions from different backgrounds
• Finding ways to make the season feel special without overdoing it

Products, links, and resources mentioned in this episode:

-Tiny Chef

-Descanso Gardens Enchanted Forest of Lights

-LA Zoo Lights: Animals Aglow

-5 Nights at Freddy's Costume

-Harry Potter Legos

-Kids Pottery Wheel

-Labubu

-Menorahs at Target

-The Boar's Head Carol

-The Alex Theater

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 343 - (Where Shanna talks about giving her kids a trampoline for Christmas)

Connect with Us

• 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: [email protected]

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.

In the special segment "Would You Rather," Shanna and Laura present hypothetical parenting situations and then discuss which choices they would rather make, diving into the topics of bringing your kids to your own doctor's appointments, handling your kids' questionable choices in music and more! Also, Laura reports on her 6-year-old's first week at his brand-new school, and Shanna gives an update on the caterpillar that her first grader unexpectedly brought home a few weeks ago. Finally, Laura and Shanna 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:

-When you child starts a new school in the middle of the school year

-When your child brings home a caterpillar to take care of and observe turn into a butterfly

-Should I take my kids to my doctor's appointment with me?

-When your kids constantly request music that you don't want to hear

-Unexpected drama that prevents you from leaving the house on time with your kids

-Taking life expectancy into consideration when getting a new pet for your family

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Caterpillar to Butterfly Grow Kits

-"Jaws Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by John Williams

-"Beetlejuice Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" by Danny Elfman

-"My Bum Is Itchy" song by Poopy Man

-"Macaroni with the Chicken Strips" song by Undignified Baby

-Hamster Rolling Ball toy

-Ball python lifespan

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

-Amanda Troop, Voiceover Artist

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 258 (Where Shanna talks about the softball party disaster when Cece was four)

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.

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

In the special segment "Big Topic," Laura shares a difficult decision she made recently that affects her entire family. She discusses the first moment that her gut instinct signalled that things were amiss in this particular situation as well as the events leading up to the decision. Also, Shanna talks about a smaller scale, but still significant, tough choice she recently made to take care of herself. Finally, Laura and Shanna 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:

-Making tough decisions to take care of yourself and your kids

-Learning from your past mistakes as a mom

-Knowing when to trust your gut as a mom

-What to do when your child is having a hard time at school

-How to talk to your kids about a big change

-Two fantastic, funny picture books for kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Doheny State Beach Campsite

-"Bathe the Cat" by Alice B. McGinty, Illustrated by David Roberts

-"Strange Planet: The Sneaking, Hiding, Vibrating Creature" by Nathan W. Pyle

-Nathan W. Pyle on Instagram

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.

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

In the brand-new special segment "Out of Context," Laura and Shanna share random text messages they have sent or received that shed light on their parenting life, diving into the topics of kids' crushes, classroom behavior, time management and more! Also, Laura reflects on her surprising feelings about staying up late with her kids, and Shanna reports on the situation that put her kids' Halloween party in peril. Finally, they 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:

-Should I let my kids stay up late for special occasions?

-Throwing a Halloween party for your kids

-Being sick as a parent and pushing yourself too hard

-Feeling overwhelmed by the amount of communication it requires to be a parent

-Receiving a report from your kid's teacher that they have misbehaved at school

-Lurking on your kids' social media posts

-Trying not to act too excited when your selective eater tries new foods

-A fun, family-friendly activity in Los Angeles

-Feeling unsure when your kid brings home an intensive project from school

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Minecraft movie

-"Steve's Lava Chicken" song

-Zankou Chicken

-Swan Boat Rides at Echo Park

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.

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

In the special segment "What the Hack?!," Shanna and Laura share some of their favorite parenting tips and tricks, including ideas for preventing toddlers from knocking over valuable items, being prepared when you're in the car with your kids, using honey bears in a fun way and more! Also, Laura reports on the unsettling reports she has been getting from her 6-year-old's school, Shanna discusses her attempt to power through her recovery from a recent illness, and both moms share their families' plans for Thanksgiving this year. Finally, they 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 Shanna's plans for Thanksgiving this year with their families

-Parenting while sick and trying to push through the recovery phase

-Finding out your child is being bullied at school

-Tips, tricks and hacks for making your parenting life easier

-Disappointment about not being able to follow through on a commitment

-Fun how-to drawing books for kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Clear Museum Gel

-Tissue box hack

-Flashlight metaphor for pain management

-Using honey bears in the shower

-Rice-cooker pasta

-The Food Lab: Better Home Cooking Through Science by J. Kenji López-Alt 

-Choking-hazard check

-"Let's Draw Aliens and Spaceships with Crayola!" by Kathy Allen (Author) and Neil Clark (Illustrator)

-"Ed Emberley's How to Draw Monsters and More Scary Stuff" by Ed Emberley

-Cookbook stand (to use for holding kids' drawing books)

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.

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

In the special segment “Mom Confessions,” Laura and Shanna share the embarrassing or hilarious parenting experiences they have had recently, including a destructive laundry mishap, an inappropriate AI encounter and more! Also, Shanna reports on how she is managing sciatic nerve pain, and Laura discusses her realization that she now has an "edgy" older kid. Finally, they 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:

-When your kids do things that seem mature beyond their years

-What to do if you have sciatic nerve pain

-Laundry mistakes

-Going to great lengths to avoid saying "no" to your kids

-Feeling embarrassed about the way you send your kid to school

-When AI steers you wrong

-Revamping your kid's bedroom without spending money

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-Kids' Ghostface costume

-What is sciatica?

-Warmies Lavender Plush Bear

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

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!

This episode is sponsored by Inito. If you're trying to conceive or just want to understand more about your body and your cycles, try Inito: https://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=BFP&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=BFP

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.

In the special segment "They Said What?!" Shanna and Laura discuss the funny, outrageous, or offensive things they've heard people say recently, including some hilarious comments from Laura's kids, a surprising parenting tactic Shanna overheard in a grocery-store parking lot, and more! Also, Shanna reports on leaving her family for a retreat in the mountains, and Laura talks about her last-minute ticket score that led to an exciting mom's night out. Finally, they 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:

-Going on a moms-only weekend retreat without your kids

-Going to a concert with your mom friend

-Using Resort Pass to take your kids to a pool for the day

-Hilarious things our kids say to us

-Surprising things strangers say to us

-Encouraging your child's interest in art

-Taking your kids to the library

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-TickPick

-Chappel Roan tour

-Resort Pass

-Radiohead's "There, There" music video

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 382 (Where the outtake of Shanna and Laura talking about 6-7 is from)

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!

This episode is sponsored by Inito. If you're trying to conceive or just want to understand more about your body and your cycles, try Inito: https://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=BFP&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=BFP

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.

In the special segment "Internet Insanity," Shanna and Laura dive into the 6-7 trend and finally get to the bottom of what this Gen-Alpha slang means and where it comes from. They also share other gems they've found on the web recently, including surprising toddler comfort items, one-of-a-kind jewelry made from an unexpected source, and more! Also, Laura celebrates the release day of her new potty training book, and Shanna worries for her future now that her 6-year-old has started sleepwalking. Finally, they 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:

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

-When you catch your child sleepwalking

-What to do when your child has a night terror

-Jewelry made using bodily fluids

-Cute and hilarious emotional support items for toddlers

-Why are all the kids saying 6-7, and what does it mean?

-Using an unusual method to help teach your child to read

-A household product that brings Laura disproportionate joy

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

-Jizzellery

-Toddler's emotional support helmet Instagram reel from Brie Matthews

-"Doot Doot" by Skrilla

-Merv the Cat on TikTok

-Laundry Turtle

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 382 (Where the outtake of Shanna and Laura talking about 6-7 is from)

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!

This episode is sponsored by Inito. If you're trying to conceive or just want to understand more about your body and your cycles, try Inito: https://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=BFP&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=BFP

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.

Shanna and Laura get into the Halloween spirit with a spooky special segment, sharing scary parenting stories that will strike fear in even the most confident parents! Also, Laura reports on her kids' creepy Halloween costume choices, and Shanna reacts to her 6-year-old's last-minute request to switch costumes. Finally, they 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:

-Kids' Halloween costumes

-Halloween parties

-Scary parenting stories

-Phrogging

-Purgatory box

-Creating screen-time rules with your kids

Products, links, resources mentioned in this episode:

-What is Phrogging?

-PBS Kids

Past BFP episodes mentioned in this episode:

-Ep. 335 (Where Shanna talks about her Halloween party last year)

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!

This episode is sponsored by Inito. If you're trying to conceive or just want to understand more about your body and your cycles, try Inito: https://try.inito.com/hormone-tracking/inf/?discount=BFP&utm_source=social_media&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast&utm_content=BFP

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.