Soother/ bottle

[loulou]

DCC is sent with a soother and bottle everyday. He is 18 months. He doesn't use either here- drinks out of a sippy cup, never asks for soother, and is completely fine without it. Trouble is everyday at drop off mom takes them out of the bag and hands them to her DS he gets really upset when he sees them and will carry them around but not use them. I generally distract him and take them then he is fine. I've tried asking mom not to bring them or leave them in the bag. I also have told her how well he does without them. She always gets very defensive saying he freaks out at home without them and he definitely still needs them. Today she told me I should just keep him if he's so good here
WWYD?