patience

A mother and daughter go grocery shopping. A man shopping behind them hears the child demand a cookie. The mom responds the she can't have a cookie. The girl throws a fit. Mom whispers, "Ellen we're half way finished. Then we'll check out. Then, nap." 

Two aisles later, the same man hears the child beg for candy, which the mom refuses to buy, whispering, "Ellen, there are only 2 more aisles, then checkout, and then nap." 

At the checkout, behind them, the man hears the daughter scream for gum, but the mother refuses, whispering "Ellen, we'll check out and then get home. Then, nap." 

Struck by the mom's patience, the man approaches her at her car and commends her. He leans down to the girl, "Ellen, you've got a great mom". "Oh, no," the mom corrects. "That's Tammy. I'm Ellen."