Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Ep. 390: Holiday Q&A: Traditions, Santa, Gifts and More!

Mon, 22 Dec 2025

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

-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

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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. 389: Metamorphosis

Mon, 15 Dec 2025

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.

Ep. 388: Making Tough Decisions

Mon, 08 Dec 2025

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.

Ep. 387: Out of Context

Mon, 01 Dec 2025

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.

Ep. 386: Is My Child Being Bullied?

Mon, 24 Nov 2025

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