NORTH DAKOTA (KXNET) — The status of being the "perfect parent" is not attainable, no matter how hard you try. Researchers from the Ohio State University College of Nursing are leading a dialogue about burnout in parents. A survey conducted with 700 parents nationwide found this information: 57% of parents report feeling burnout Strongly associated with expectations (internal and external) The more free time, the fewer mental health issues Parent mental health/behavior impacts children's mental health "I think social media has just tipped the scales," explained Associate Clinical Professor at Ohio State, Kate Gawlik. "You can look at people on Instagram or you can even just see people walking around, and I always think, 'How do they do that? How do they seem to always have it all together when I don't?' We have high expectations for ourselves as parents; we have high expectations for what our kids should be doing. Then on the flipside, you're comparing yourself to other people, other families, and there's a lot of judgment that goes on. And whether it's intended or not, it's still there." The "culture of achievement" is what leads to burnout, which can lead to other potentially debilitating issues, according to the study. Experts say vaccination rates are low this winter "When parents are burned out, they have more depression, anxiety, and stress, but their children also do behaviorally and emotionally worse," added the Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer at Ohio State, Bernadette Melnyk. "So it's super important to face your true story if you're burning out as a parent and do something about it for better self-care." This report brings a new 10-point survey that lets parents measure their burnout and find solutions to help. "Positive parenting is when you give your children a lot of love and warmth, but you also provide structure and guidance in their life," Melnyk noted. "You gently teach them consequences of behaviors. So that is a much better goal to shoot for being a positive parent than a perfect parent." Some strategies include: Connection and active listening Catching, checking, and changing negative thoughts Readjusting expectations Reflecting and acting on priorities "If maybe you're prioritizing making sure your house is spotless all the time, but then you don't feel like you have time to go for a walk every night with your children, maybe you need to reorganize or find a way to make both of those things work," suggested Gawlik. These approaches can help calm what's called a "public health epidemic" of burnout for parents. "Parents do a great job caring for their children and everybody else, but they often don't prioritize their self-care," concluded Melnyk. "As parents, we can't keep pouring from an empty cup. If children see their parents taking good self-care, the chances are they're going to grow up with that value as well. It has a ripple effect on the children and the entire family." Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Today's Top Stories SIGN UP NOW