<p>Just some of the items my mom’s bought me for college:</p>
<p>24-pack of juice boxes
elmer’s glue
5 oversized bottles of conditioner (1 bottle of shampoo)
full-size ironing board (it’s huge)</p>
<p>Uhh, thanks mom.</p>
<p>It may not seem useful, but she is doing this out of love for you. Perhaps there is an ironing board in the dorm, so you could politely explain to her why you might not need it. Frankly, the juice comes in handy. My son’s options were buying drinks by the case at Walmart or Costco, or spending $2/beverage in a vending machine.</p>
<p>To echo what NEMom has to say: you never know when that might come in handy. Besides, extra drinks around the dorm/apt never hurt anyone.</p>
<p>Are you going to school in a place that will have, come winter, a snowy hill? That ironing board could come in handy. :)</p>
<p>From your user name I assume you go to Amherst–lucky you!</p>
<p>Do you not like juice, or are the jb’s just too elementary school? If you watched Grey’s Anatomy, you’d know that George (an intern) likes a nice juicebox. So, it’s not so cool, but girl’s might think it’s cute. Maybe mom thinks it’s convenient and offers less of a chance of creating a mess for you to clean up. </p>
<p>Is your hair very dry, or does mom just love a bargain? My D has very long hair–I always buy more conditioner than shampoo.</p>
<p>No matter how stressed you get, do not sniff the glue! (Elmer’s is non-toxic–see–mom knows what she’s doing.)</p>
<p>I’m sure that you are a smart young man and can figure out how to put these purchases to good use–you could always donate to the less fortunate.</p>
<p>The important thing to remember is that mom loves you–that and…</p>
<p>The maternal mind works in mysterious ways.</p>
<p>"5 oversized bottles of conditioner "</p>
<p>Maybe she’s trying to tell you something. Dryness issues?</p>
<p>You could be the door to door personal grooming salesman.</p>
<p>funny thing is I said to my son the other day “at least we don’t need to buy glue sticks this year”</p>
<p>But there is the 3 hole punch, stapler, tape, etc, etc, etc…</p>
<p>LOL, I meant to throw a glue stick into Mathson’s bag of stationary stuff, but I forgot. So all he’s got is superglue.</p>
<p>Reminds me of a story my next-door neighbor told me:</p>
<p>At the info meeting for parents that had a panel of current students, one parent asked, “What do you wish you had brought that you didn’t?” I don’t recall what the response was to that.</p>
<p>Another parent followed up with: “What did you bring that you didn’t need?” A tall young man responded, “Well, there was that dust ruffle my mother sent…” to laughter all around.</p>
<p>There was probably just a sale. No point in buying it at a higher price later when it’s non-perishable. If you use conditioner, I am sure it will all get used eventually. If you decide you cannot use all of what you have, once you get settled in your dorm, you could offer it to a friend or maybe a local homeless shelter. </p>
<p>Glue will probably come in handy. Most teenagers decide that they don’t need glue and scissors for school. I always brought it. Let’s just say there are a lot of instances where people have to borrow.</p>
<p>The conditioner was on sale and she figured once at school you’d buy only shampoo anyway. And hide the glue. You’ll be the only one on your floor with any, and if the word gets out, it’ll be gone in a heartbeat; and when you need it…</p>
<p>Juice boxes may be very second grade, but they can be really good for you. A little box of Juicy Juice provides 100% vitamin c, and vitamin c helps the immune system. Not bad for a little bitty box of juice…</p>
<p>You’ll love that ironing board for the first big snow storm :)</p>
<p>Since your mom is just trying to “help” and this makes her feel good to get you stuff for school…why don’t you talk to her about the idea that if she wants to get you some things before you go (consummables, whatever), that you prefer to consult with her on a list of what you feel you need…then she can get THOSE things. We do that here. I’ve got two in college. Some things they have to buy themselves but I am talking of some things I am willing to buy before they go, just to get started…whether it be one thing of laundry detergent, computer paper, etc.</p>
<p>Haha. Aw, that’s so cute! She’s trying. I say you can easily put the shampoo, conditioner, and glue to good use. Juice boxes, ok, slightly embarassing. But they are tasty. Admit it ;].</p>
<p>That’s great!! I asked my D if she needed an iron…she asked me…what for? I think the juice boxes just oooze the love!! </p>
<p>Once you are there, you may be missing that touch of home and those items might just warm your heart!</p>