At 9pm on Sunday I asked my 15-year-old son how he was getting on with his homework. “Procrastination-ally” he replied. Keen to impart some motherly wisdom, I advised him that he would be happier in life if he got his work done as early as possible. I pointed out that he had had plenty of time to study on Saturday, but he had decided to enjoy himself all day instead. “Please learn from my mistakes”, I said, “I spent all the weekends of my teenage years putting off homework, but this didn’t mean I had more fun, because I knew that I was only delaying the inevitable. Plus, I was always tired at school because I stayed up so late trying to get everything finished at the last minute.” “There’s nothing I can do about it,” came the reply, “I have inherited my nature from you.” As lucky as he is to have inherited such a sweet nature (ahem), I do wish my children didn’t repeat my mistakes. It was bad enough wasting my own teenage years without seeing my offspring not make the most of theirs. If only I could go back and do it all again. When I went back to my school for a reunion a few years ago, I was shocked to see how great the facilities were, how elegant the building. When I was there, all I did was slouch around feeling sorry for myself, I never noticed the architecture or appreciated the great teaching. Recently I went back to Leeds, where I was a student, and was similarly assailed with regrets. Such a great city, the fun I could have had! But I was a different person when I was there, so obsessed with matters such as my weight and whether I would ever get a boyfriend, that I couldn’t see the important stuff. I am one of those clichéd people who wasted their youth. I don’t know what made me change, but let’s hope all that expensive therapy helped – as it would be a shame if it had absolutely no effect. Teenage me would hardly recognise myself today. I make sure I get all my work done well ahead of deadlines, and I am keen to spend my spare time doing stuff I enjoy. Mind you, it doesn’t take much to make me happy these days, a game of bridge and a bar of chocolate and I am in heaven. I think it might have taken a bit more than that to excite me when I was a teenager. But back then, I was stupid. Forward-wind to today and judging from my belief in self discipline and my dull pastimes, it appears I have become rather boring. So don’t listen to me now, listen to teenage me … go forth and procrastinate!