Laura and Shanna talk with Erica Djossa, CEO and founder of Momwell and the author of the upcoming book "Releasing the Mother Load: How to Carry Less and Enjoy Motherhood More." They talk about strategies for reassessing our preconceived notions of motherhood, how to let go of the mental load that can often lead to burnout and more! Also, Shanna reports on her 8-year-old's off-the-wall birthday party, and Laura talks about her youngest son turning three and no longer being a toddler. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Learn more about Erica Djossa! 

Visit Erica's website

Order Erica's book

Follow Erica's Instagram

Listen to Erica's Podcast




Topics discussed in this episode:

-Kids' birthday parties

-Trampoline park

-Homemade birthday cake

-Third birthday

-Toddlers vs. preschoolers

-Mom mental load

-Maternal mental health

-Mom cognitive labor

-Early morning wakings

-Kids taking photos




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.

Ep. 296 - Letting Go of the Mother Load: Interview with Erica Djossa

Big Fat Positive is a smart and funny podcast about two best friends who found out they were pregnant at the same time. The show follows the moms-to-be on their journey through pregnancy and into new motherhood, week by week. With weekly check-ins, special guests and segments such as "OMG I’m Freaking Out," hosts Shanna Micko &amp; Laura Birek recount the often hilarious and always honest highs and lows of being a pregnant woman and new mom.

Kids & Family

Parenting

Health & Fitness

Shanna and Laura talk to  Dr. Nicole Rankins about what pregnant people can do to create an effective birth plan. Dr. Nicole is a board-certified, practicing OBGYN and the host of the podcast "All About Pregnancy & Birth," and she is the creator of online courses "The Birth Preparation Course" and "Make a Birth Plan the Right Way" to teach pregnant people how to feel comfortable and empowered to have the birth they deserve. Also, Shanna reports on her spring cleaning plan for her kids, and Laura talks about taking a spring break trip to the Palm Springs area. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Visit https://drnicolerankins.com/ for more information on Dr. Nicole Rankins and her online birth plan and childbirth education classes.




Follow Dr. Nicole Rankins on Instagram.




Topics discussed in this episode:

-Surviving spring break with young kids

-Spring cleaning

-Encouraging kids to clean their rooms

-Taking a vacation with young kids

-How to make a good birth plan

-When in pregnancy to create a birth plan

-Doing a drop-off playdate

-Taking photos underwater




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.

Ep. 304 - Preparing for an Empowered Birth with Dr. Nicole Rankins

Laura reports on her three-year-old's progress with potty training, and Shanna tells the story of an unexpectedly dramatic dinner with her family. Also, in the special segment "Loose Ends," Shanna and Laura give updates about topics they've talked about previously, including behavior issues, Botox and more! Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Topics discussed in this episode:

-Potty training

-When children start staying dry at night

-Doing babysitting swaps with friends

-Doing Botox for migraines

-Handling your child's dysregulation and behavior challenges

-Handling your child's fear of the dark

-Selective eating and "safe" foods




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.

Ep. 303 - Shanna's Dramatic Dinner

In the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying," Shanna and Laura analyze the things that have caused their little ones to melt down recently, including unexpectedly big feelings at pool parties, school fundraising events and more! Also, Shanna reports on her family's last-minute St. Patrick's Day celebration, and Laura talks about attending a local event that captured the heart of her five-year-old. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Topics discussed in this episode:

-St. Patrick's Day traditions with kids

-Leprechaun traps

-Cherry blossom festival

-Fundraising for school events

-Pool parties

-Ads targeted at kids

-Sensitive children

-When your kid has high blood pressure




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.

Ep. 302 - Shamrocks and Samurais

In the special segment "Mom Confessions," Laura and Shanna divulge their hilarious and embarrassing parenting moves recently, including using an unexpected product from the medicine cabinet, having surprising feelings while shopping at a big-box store and more! Also, Laura talks about potty training her three-year-old, and Shanna reports on chaperoning a second-grade field trip. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Topics discussed in this episode:

-When is a good time to start potty training

-How to succeed at potty training

-Chaperoning your child's field trip

-Funny, embarrassing mom confessions

-The best shoes for kids

-Feeling pride at your child accomplishing a goal




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.

Ep. 301 - What if My Son Wants to Wear “Girl” Clothes?

To celebrate their 300th episode, Laura and Shanna have invited Shanna's mom Janet on the show! In this very special "Throwback" segment, Janet takes us back to her pregnancy, birth and early parenthood with Shanna. She talks about being pregnant during an ice storm, moving cross-country with an infant, how Shanna was the opposite of what she expected her to be and more. She also shares funny and fond memories of her early motherhood and offers her best parenting advice. Also, Shanna gives an update on her daughters' progress with their new pom-pom reward system, and Laura reports on her 5-year-old's transition to a big-kid bed. Finally, they share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5 and 8 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5 years old and 3 years old.




Topics discussed in this episode:

-Rewarding your kids for their good behavior

-Transitioning your child to a big-kid bed

-The story of Shanna's birth

-Some of the best things about being a mom

-Advice about parenting from Shanna's mom

-Doing volunteer work with your kids

-Going on a field trip with your preschooler




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.

Ep. 296 - Letting Go of the Mother Load: Interview with Erica Djossa

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