I really had hoped those days were behind me.
Don't get me wrong, just like any nerd, I loved much of my school and university days.
I was never happier than when I had my head in a book or had a project to complete.
During my A-Levels I have hilarious memories of me walking around and around our back garden as I recited facts and figures and essays and I was the same at uni.
The importance of studying and doing my best was drilled into me early and really, I'm thankful for that, especially when I collected well deserved good grades.
That said, when those days were over and I entered the world of work, it was a relief not to have to study any more and most days, leave work at the door when I left for home.
Why didn't I treasure those days more?
Now, I have found myself back behind a desk - well, the kitchen table - and under pressure to get my head around Jolly Phonics (which are anything but).
For anyone who has P1 children, you will all be familiar with the joy of phonics, the sounds of letters.
A comprehensive programme, we are told it is a fun and muliti-sensory synthetic phonics method that gets children reading and writing from an early age. It means the kids are taught a letter sound as opposed to the alphabet.
From Abbie's second day in P1, she has had homework.
Now, I'm not talking about pictures to draw or nursery rhymes to recite, I mean a book with a letter on each page, added each day, which is accompanied by a rhyme and it is all about learning the sound.
From "a, a, ants on my arm" to "when I watch a tennis game, t, t, t", and then on to "clicking castanets c, c, c", my head is turned.
It was all going ok until `qu' and `ue' arrived home and I had absolutely no clue and even one night, all us mums were whatsapping each other because we didn't even know what the letter was.
Each night, I look up the rhyme on my phone and play it over and over a few times and then we sound out the letter and sometimes, we have to draw the shape of the letter in the air but really, my head is pickled.
I really can't remember learning to read but I'm told it was not like this and in the good old days we just recited the a,b,c song.
Is it just me or are any other parents struggling with these not-so-jolly phonics?
Anyone got any advice before I go "o, o, out of my mind"?
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Former footballer Vinnie Jones has showed a softer side this week after revealing he will donate the proceeds of a potential recording contract to charity if he wins the celebrity version of The X Factor.
The 54-year-old actor has returned to the new reality TV show after pulling out following the death of his wife Tanya in July.
Married for 25 years, Tanya was 53-years-old when she died following a six year battle with cancer.
If he wins the show, Vinnie Jones said he will donate the money to Harefield Hospital and Cedars Sinai, where his late wife was treated.
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Competition
Winter is on the way, so how do you feel about winning an essential set of skincare products aimed at caring for your pores during the cold snap?
Elave Skincare, which had created an allergen-free daily skincare regime for those with sensitive skin, has offered some practical advice for keeping your skin hydrated and flare-up free this winter.
First tip is don't forget the sunscreen as winter levels of UVA are still significant enough to age your skin.
Also, banish make-up wipes in favour of Elave Sensitive Facial Cleanser, a sulfate-free formula with anti-oxidant Vitamin E to protect against cellular damage.
To avoid chapping use Elave Sensitive Daily Lip Defence and keep your skin care regime going every day to avoid flare-ups.
Further information about Elave is available at www.elaveskincare.com.
I have five Elave Absolute Purity Sensitive Daily Essential packs to give away.
Each pack contains a Sensitive Shampoo, a Sensitive Intensive Cream and a Sensitive Shower Gel.
If you fancy winning a pack, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com
Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, October 29, 2019
(Q) What season follows autumn?
Normal Irish News Rules Apply
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The winners of The Addams Family competition are Kathleen Connolly, from Belfast and Margaret Ann McKee, from Cookstown
