What will I do with her?

Tara was outside playing with Mason, Lane, and Triston this evening. She came in and asked me if it was okay if her and Triston went down to the school with Mason and Lane to play. I instantly told her "no" and explained to her that she was too young to go that far from home without a parent. Then she tells me "well mom, Tammi is going with us" ok..then...that is different. I tell her "Sure, go ahead, have fun".

About a half hour later, Triston comes in the door. I asked him if they were done playing already and he tells me that he had a funny feeling while they were down there. I asked him what he meant by that. He tells me that Tara was acting all weird like she was hiding something. He came home to make sure that I gave them permission. I told him yeah, I said it was ok.

Triston is a good boy and I trust his instincts when it comes to trouble. He also knows me well and knows that I tend to be a little over the board when it comes to rules and safety. I looked at him and could see that something was up. I asked him where everyone else was. He told me they were still down there and that he came home alone to make sure I gave them permission. Then, it dawned on me. I said to him "well, Tammi is with them right?" Triston says "no, she didn't come".

I told Triston that she lied to me when she asked permission and that they needed to come home. We had a talk with Tara. She told me that she lied because I wouldn't let her go without an adult. Well... sorry, but.

Tara tried to tell me that there were two other boys down there that promised to help beat up any bad guys if they tried to kidnap her. Yeah right, six little kids all 9 years old and younger defending themselves against a very mean adult. Who are they kidding?

I can't believe she is so deceitful. Is it too early to put the bars on the windows? She's 6 now. We thought we had several years to go before we had to worry about this kind of thing.