A three-year-old asked for a cookie as her mother pushed by them in the store, and was told no. She immediately began to whine loudly, and the mother said quietly, "Now Ellen, we only have half of the aisles left to go." As they passed the candy section, the little girl began to shout for some candy. She wailed anew when told she couldn't have any. "Okay, Ellen, don't cry," the mom whispered. Two more aisles to go, and then we'll be done."

At the checkout lane the little girl began to clamor for gum and burst into a terrible tantrum at being denied. The mother patiently said, "Ellen, hang on, we'll be through this in five minutes, and then you can go home and have a nice nap."

The clerk said, "Ma'am, I couldn't help noticing how patient you are with little Ellen… "The mother interrupted, "My little girl is Tammy. I'm Ellen."

"Off the couch."