Dr. Wendy Rice Archives | Rice Psychology

Parenting in the Time of COVID-19: Talking to Your Kids About the New School Year

on July 31, 2020 at 11:43 am /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Last week, we learned that our child will be attending school in August. I processed the information and heard the new guidelines his school would be implementing, but I’m extremely worried and nervous for him. Are they going to be able to keep him safe? Will my third-grader wear his mask all day and stay six feet away from his friends? As I’ve grown quite negative about the situation, I’ve also grown nervous that he’s picked up on my bad attitude. He used to be so excited about going back...

Living with and Learning More About Yourself

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 24, 2020 at 2:02 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. Before the pandemic, I was able to handle just about anything my family threw at me: the usual wife/mommy duties of the day. Now, because we’ve been spending so much time together, my super mom/wife abilities seem to have vanished. I’m snapping more at the kids, finding my husband’s habits more bothersome, and seem to be constantly fighting the urge to lock myself in the bathroom for some peace and quiet. Last night, I sat down and thought about my actions and feelings toward my family over the last few...

Understanding Restlessness and What You Can do to Overcome It

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 10, 2020 at 9:26 am /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. It seems like every day there’s a new warning or disastrous event happening in the world. I try to limit my time on social media, stay away from the news, and think happy thoughts, but I’m always worried about something. Between COVID-19 continuing to spread, constant protests, political news, and my daily responsibilities, I have trouble thinking about anything else! And it seems to hit me hardest when I go to bed. No matter what I try, I just can’t sleep. I’ve tried reading and watching TV to take my...

Sometimes it Isn’t the Horse or the Saddle, It’s the Rider

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on July 3, 2020 at 12:17 pm /

How often do you overlook the role you might be playing in a problem and assume that, if you tweak something caused by someone or something else, poof, no more problem? The Situation In the past when I rode my horse, I was often lopsided. I literally leaned off to one side. It isn’t an ideal way to ride. And even though I’m an experienced rider, sometimes steering and getting my horse to go (walk, trot, canter) was met with major resistance. So, what did I do to fix the problem? Well, I started by getting a new saddle, but even with...

An Anxious Return: Heading Back to Work During the COVID-19 Pandemic

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 29, 2020 at 1:51 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. The company I work for reopened last week. I was excited at first to finally get out of the house and earn a paycheck again, but seeing the crowded hallways, closed office doors, and multiple face-to-face meetings are making me very anxious. At home, I was mindful of keeping things especially clean due to the COVID-19 pandemic. When going out to get groceries, I was even more careful. But now at work, with people hovering over me so much and participating in one meeting after the next, my anxiety is...

A Few Effective Ways to Deal with Someone Else’s Anger

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on May 15, 2020 at 1:51 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. A coworker and I were handling a project for a few weeks. Our big presentation was this morning and it didn’t go the way we wanted. We made a few mistakes, and because of it, our boss came down on us. Afterward, I was ready to discuss and correct our mistakes, however, my coworker lost her temper and said some pretty aggressive things to me. I was really surprised after her rant but was clueless about how to handle it. We all get angry sometimes. Anger is a normal and...

The Benefits of Keeping a Four-Legged Friend Around During Home Isolation

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 17, 2020 at 3:25 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. The first couple of weeks of my city’s stay-at-home order were rough. I’m single with no kids, so my apartment was quieter than I could have ever imagined while working from home. It got so bad that I started feeling stressed and anxious from being cooped up all day. During a call with my sister, she suggested adopting a dog. She owns one, or actually tells me that her dog owns her, and says that there’s never a dull moment in her home. I went to my local animal shelter...

Lockdown Blues: COVID-19, Its Effects, And How It’s Being Processed

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on April 3, 2020 at 3:15 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. It’s been about six days since my boyfriend and I have been outside. The first couple of days were fine, fun even. We watched a few movies, played some games, and even had a few drinks. But things are definitely changing now. I’ve been on social media almost non-stop, reading about all the new cases, the deaths, the economy, and everything else related to the virus. I’m a puddle of anxiety, convinced I will be the next to get sick. My boyfriend, on the other hand, is on the complete...

Stress at Home: Dealing with Emotions and Responsibilities During the COVID-19 Outbreak

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on March 20, 2020 at 3:34 pm /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. With COVID-19 spreading, I have to work from home. In addition to this, I now have my kids at home full time. Since school has been canceled, I’m about to start being their at-home teacher, social director, and all-day companion! As a single mom, you might say that I’m completely overwhelmed. There aren’t enough hours in the day to do all of this! I usually take deep breaths throughout the day to manage my stress, but lately, it’s been impossible. And my work, health, and parenting are suffering because of...

COVID-19: What to Expect During a Period of Uncertainty and Potential Panic

By Dr. Wendy Rice

on March 13, 2020 at 11:26 am /

Consider the following story as it relates to this week’s topic. As a parent, worrying about the flu or common cold every year is nothing new. My husband and I are always prepared, but this year is different. COVID-19 caught us off guard and we aren’t quite sure what to do. Not only is the possibility of catching the virus scary, but it’s also causing our kids to ask a lot of questions that we don’t know how to answer. Also, my parents are getting older and they seem to be at the highest risk. Between news outlets, social media, and...