Truth About Modern Parenting & Child Mental Wellness| Natalie Costa

Are our children truly growing up healthy—emotionally, mentally, and socially? Or are we unknowingly setting them up for a future where academic pressure overshadows emotional well-being? This week on Sexuality and Identity, host Shireen Ashton sits down with Natalie Costa—educator, children’s mindset coach, and founder of Power Thoughts—for a deeply heartfelt and thought-provoking conversation on what it truly means to raise emotionally resilient children in today’s fast-changing world.

As parents and caregivers, we often find ourselves asking: Am I doing enough? Is my child happy? Am I present enough? Natalie gently holds up a mirror to these questions and reminds us that we’re not alone in these worries—but that we do need to start doing things differently.

Natalie shares a scenario that many parents will find familiar—one where academic achievement is prioritised at the cost of emotional development. Schools are under pressure, kids are stressed, and support for mental well-being is often an afterthought. Yet, as Natalie explains, children need more than good grades. They need tools to understand their feelings, to feel secure within themselves, and to know how to express what’s going on inside.

One of the key themes explored in this episode is the transformation of parenting styles. Many modern parents, caught between guilt and fear, struggle to set healthy boundaries. In trying to be more understanding or protective, some are hesitant to say “no” or hold firm limits. But as Natalie reminds us, boundaries are not restrictions—they are safety nets. They help children feel safe and secure. What’s needed, she says, is a middle ground: one where parents lead with empathy, not fear, where discipline is rooted in love, not control.

The episode also delves into the pressures of modern life. With rising childcare costs and the relentless demands of work, many parents are stretched thin—physically present, perhaps, but emotionally depleted. Natalie speaks to the emotional toll this takes on families and offers insight into how small, mindful shifts in daily interactions can create stronger connections, even in busy households.

Then there’s the elephant in the room—the internet. While technology connects us more than ever, it also creates new challenges for today’s children. With a world of strangers just one click away, the online space can often become overwhelming and unsafe, especially for young, impressionable minds. Natalie and Shireen ask the difficult questions: Are policymakers and tech companies doing enough to protect our children? Whose responsibility is it to keep them safe in the digital world?

Natalie emphasizes that emotional education is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Children must be taught to identify, understand, and regulate their emotions. We must normalize talking about feelings at home and in school. Emotional expression is not a weakness—it is strength, it is power, and it is the foundation of a healthy, balanced life.

As the conversation draws to a close, one thing becomes clear: We need a systemic shift. From the way we educate our children to the way we shape our policies and digital spaces, change is urgently needed. But change starts with awareness—and with us, the parents, teachers, and caregivers, who have the power to nurture emotionally strong, compassionate, and self-aware young people.

This episode is a must-listen for every parent wondering how to raise a child who can not only survive—but truly thrive—in today’s world.

Produced by Global Indian Series for the Global Indian Network.

Script by Rajan Nazran
original idea: Rajan Nazran
Podcast Host: Shireen Ashton

Introduction music: (Sound Title) – by Steven F Allen
https://freesound.org/people/audiomirage/
https://soundclick.com/AuDioChosisStevenFAllenAuDioMiRage