Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey

Laura and Shanna come to you in real time to check in during the wildfires in Los Angeles. They provide updates about how they are doing during their city's crisis and have an insightful conversation with Gia Gambaro Blount, a local child development expert and parenting coach. about parenting during and after emergencies. Gia is a highly-regarded parenting expert in one of the areas that are being hit hardest by the devastation - Pasadena and Altadena - and she provides wisdom that not only comes from her years of expertise in child development but also as a parent who lives in the area and is personally affected by it as well. Important Links: -Our list of resources for victims of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires -Our list of how to help and donate to support victims of the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires -Gia Gambaro Blount's Instagram - Follow Gia to get daily advice and wisdom about parenting through crisis (and more) -Gia Gambaro Blount's Website -Big Fat Positive's Facebook Community Group - A supportive community that has shown compassion for and interest in helping parents and families in need at this time (plus ongoing conversations and support about parenting in general Topics Discussed in This Episode: -How the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires are affecting parents -How to parent your child during a crisis -Advice from a local parenting expert who is actively helping parents and families navigate this crisis -How to handle emergencies when you're a parent -How to talk to your child about catastrophic events -How to help your child process trauma after the emergency is over -How to help victims of the Los Angeles fires 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 Visit our website. Big Fat Positive: A Pregnancy and Parenting Journey is produced by Laura Birek, Shanna Micko and Steve Yager. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shanna reports on the shocking event that complicated her daughter's sixth birthday party, and Laura talks about getting a mammogram while breastfeeding. Also, in the special segment "Why Is My Kid Crying," Laura and Shanna thoughtfully dissect the seemingly mundane situations that have caused their little ones to melt down recently, including big feelings at Whole Foods, the frozen yogurt shop and more. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 6 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old. Topics discussed in this episode: -Throwing a birthday party for your 6 year old -Handling your pet's medical issues -Getting a mammogram while breastfeeding -When your kids have big feelings -Understanding why your kids are crying about seemingly insignificant things 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

2024 is coming to an end, and In the special segment "Year in Review," Laura and Shanna reflect on their last 12 months of parenting. As they look back on 2024, they share their biggest joys, challenges, realizations and more. Also, Laura reports on her 5-year-old's new interest in helping out in the kitchen, and Shanna talks about the challenges of planning for her kids' three-week winter break. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old. Topics discussed in this episode: -Thanksgiving with kids -Kids helping in the kitchen -Picky/selective eating in kids -Planning for your kids' winter break -When your partner helps lighten your mental load -Signing kids up for winter break day camp -2024 year in review -End-of-year self-reflection questions for parents 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Shanna and Laura share last-minute gift ideas and holiday tips in the special segment "What the Hack?!," including tricks for hanging ornaments, managing holiday-morning chaos and more! Also, Shanna checks in on her mission to remove 1,000 pounds of sand from her backyard, and Laura talks about an artistic activity that has deeply engaged her 5-year-old. Finally, the moms share their BFPs and BFNs for the week. Shanna's kids are 5.5 and 8.5 years old, and Laura’s kids are 5.5 years old and 3.5 years old. Topics discussed in this episode: -How to get rid of a sandbox -My kid keeps drawing violent images -Tips and tricks for managing the holidays with kids -Last-minute holiday gift ideas 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices