As I transition into the time in college from eating at the dining hall to cooking my own meals, I found that grocery shopping is a lot more difficult than I initially thought. First, it takes a lot of time. Second, my mom has gone grocery shopping for my family since forever, and she knows exactly what to get for every recipe and what the right brands are. Lastly, she knows exactly what portion to buy of everything. (For example, she wouldn't make the rookie mistake I did of buying three hearts of romaine hoping that would last me three weeks.) Moms simply know exactly what they are doing at the grocery store, and it's a talent I truly aspire to have when I am a mother. But for now, I'm just a college student and I have no idea what I'm doing most of the time. Here's 10 times I need my mom at the grocery store.

1. When you are trying to recreate a recipe she usually makes. *calls mom* "How much ____ do you need for that one recipe you usually make?"

2. Moms always know exactly where everything is in a grocery store, so sometimes you have to call her in a panic from the garden section when you're just trying to find where the milk is.

3. When you want to buy something unhealthy for a snack. You need her there to stop you.

4. When you go to the deli for some type of meat but you have no idea how much/or what to order. Do I just ask for that full fish? The head and everything? I don't even know how to filet a fish.

5. The spice section. This section is a vast mystery and somehow, moms know the exact difference between basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and rosemary.

6. The cleaning supplies section. *calls mom* Yeah so what's the difference between Clorox, Simple Green, Mr. Clean, Oxy Clean, and Windex? Don't they all do the same thing? Clean? As it turns out, they all have different functions and moms know exactly what cleaning supplies to get for every room in the house.

7. The toilet paper section. *calls mom* So what brand of toilet paper do we use at home? Is it the brand with the baby on the front or the bears?

8. The medicine section. Moms seem to always have a casual pharmacy in their bathroom cupboard, and they know what to give you for every symptom you have. But being without her at college it's very difficult to know the difference between 20 brands of cold medicine.

9. The make up section. You need her there to tell you not to spend so much of your money on makeup.

10. When you encounter strangers who are rude for no reason. Like someone dressed as panda who knocks over your cart.

You're the best, Mom, and I will forever commend your grocery store skills.