(Statewide) – Indiana child advocates say one simple shift can help kids feel more joy and less stress during the busy holiday season. The Indiana Youth Institute urges families to focus less on gifts and more on gratitude, pointing to research that shows giving back helps kids feel happier and more connected.
Tami Silverman, Indiana Youth Institute President and CEO, said the holidays offer a natural moment to slow down and reset priorities.
“This month we’re really talking about how can we help our kids really have a little more joy and less stress, and doing that by giving back and the reality that giving back actually makes kids themselves happier,” she explained.
Some families say time, cost, or transportation can make volunteering difficult. Youth advocates stress that generosity doesn’t have to be complicated. Small actions, like donating toys, helping with food drives, or writing thank-you notes, can still build empathy and reduce stress. Experts also caution that service works best when kids choose causes, they care about rather than feeling pressured.
Silverman said generosity benefits both the giver and the community, and encourages families to involve children directly and model those behaviors themselves. As kids grow, she added, letting them take the lead helps build confidence and ownership.
“One of the ways to create less stress and more joy this holiday season is to encourage your kids and work alongside them in volunteering and giving back right in your own community,” she continued.
Silverman said those skills help kids thrive long after the holidays, turning simple acts of service into lifelong habits that strengthen Indiana communities.
(Story by Indiana News Now)
