Earth Day Reflections: Parenting in an Era of Disinformation

In a quiet moment under the twilight sky, Monica, founder of Wand(HER)wild and Wanderwild Family Retreats, found herself reflecting deeply on Earth Day, parenting, and the rapidly changing information landscape we all must navigate. As a mother of two and a global citizen, Monica often feels the weight and wonder of raising children in a world that seems increasingly saturated with noise, misinformation, and environmental urgency.

Earth Day Sparks a Deeper Reflection

It was a typical Saturday night, yet not typical at all. Monica found herself drawn outside, sitting quietly in her backyard, soaking in the crisp air. Inspired by Earth Day, she decided to watch Idiocracy, a dystopian satire that eerily mirrors aspects of our present reality. This movie, made almost two decades ago, felt more relevant than ever.

In the film, society has degraded into a state of ignorance and consumerism so extreme that people can no longer grow crops because they've replaced water with a sugary, artificial drink. Monica couldn't help but feel the heavy symbolism: water, our life force, replaced by something cheap, easy, and ultimately destructive. How often do we, today, blindly trust what’s marketed to us?

She also thought about Don't Look Up, a film where disinformation and greed blind humanity to an impending global catastrophe. Both movies left Monica wondering — what can she do as a parent, and as a human, to cultivate critical thinking, environmental stewardship, and resilience in her children?

A Global Citizen's Responsibility

Monica's perspective is unique: after living abroad for 13 years across various countries, she sees herself first and foremost as a citizen of the world. National identities blur when you realize the shared humanity — and shared responsibility — we all hold.

"We are all humans," Monica reflects, "and we all have to do our part."

In the context of Earth Day, this means honoring our planet not just one day a year, but in our daily actions, our teachings, and the values we instill in our children. It's not enough to simply "celebrate" Earth Day; we must live it.

Teaching Our Children to Navigate Disinformation

One of the most pressing challenges Monica recognizes is teaching her young children, currently aged two and four, to navigate a world where information is abundant, yet often unreliable.

She outlined several key pillars she plans to build into their upbringing:

1. Research and Sources Matter

Gone are the days when research meant a trip to the library to find published, peer-reviewed materials. Today, children (and adults) are bombarded with unverified information at every scroll. Monica believes it's critical to teach her children early on about evaluating sources, cross-referencing information, and not taking everything at face value.

2. Understanding Fake News and Polarization

The internet is a beautiful but dangerous place. Clickbait, fake news, AI-generated content, and deep fakes are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Monica feels it's her duty to prepare her children to question — to ask, "Who is saying this, and why?" and "What do they stand to gain?"

3. Differentiating Opinions from Facts

Opinions are everywhere. And while everyone is entitled to one, not every opinion is a fact. Monica hopes to raise children who are curious, open-minded, but discerning; children who seek evidence and understand the difference between "I believe" and "It is proven."

4. Embracing Respectful Debate

In a polarized world, disagreement is inevitable. But respectful debate is a skill. Monica envisions family discussions where her children feel safe expressing differing views — and where they learn to listen just as much as they speak.

"It’s boring when everyone thinks the same," she smiles, "but debating in a way that respects relationships is key."

5. Trust and Intuition

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Monica wants to teach her children to trust their inner compass. As mothers, we often have finely tuned intuition — a "gut feeling" that has kept humanity safe for generations. Trusting oneself, Monica believes, is vital in a world where manipulation and persuasion are sophisticated arts.

Honoring Earth Every Day

Monica emphasizes that Earth Day should be more than a once-a-year event. It's a reminder that we are stewards of an irreplaceable home. Our oceans, mountains, forests, and skies are gifts — but they are also responsibilities.

In her own family, Monica integrates nature into their lives daily: barefoot walks in the grass, picking wildflowers, stargazing, growing herbs. These small acts of connection deepen the sense of belonging to the earth, nurturing a reverence that is lived, not just taught.

In upcoming Wander(HER)wild offerings, Monica plans to introduce more resources for families to deepen their connection with the natural world through mindful practices and seasonal rituals.

Raising Conscious Humans

As Monica reflected under the stars, she realized that the ultimate antidote to disinformation and apathy is consciousness: raising humans who are awake to the beauty, complexity, and interconnectedness of life.

Humans who think critically.
Humans who care deeply.
Humans who are willing to question, to feel, and to act.

It’s a tall order. But if each of us starts within our own homes, teaching our children with intention and example, perhaps the future doesn't have to look like Idiocracy or Don't Look Up. Perhaps it can be luminous.

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