"What You Need to Get Married" From the Childcare Frontlines #A Note from 10 Years Ago

Do you know what you need to get married?

Back when I didn't have a partner and certainly wasn't married,
a five-year-old boy at the nursery school taught me "what you need to get married."


(Below: From my diary on January 25, 2011)


"Hey, why don't you marry Mr. XX!"

That's what

a five-year-old boy (in the 4-year-old class) says every time he sees my face,
trying to set me up with the teacher from the next class over.
He's Yuki (a pseudonym), an intelligent, kind, and thoughtful boy whom friends always gather around.

Me:
What should I do to get married?
I don't have anyone, you know.

Yuki:
I'll teach you,
first, you have to prepare!

A dress and your own clothes.

Once you're prepared,

all that's left
is to find the person you like.

Me:
Oh... oh, I see. (That "all that's left" is the hard part, Teacher Yuki...)

What should I do once I'm prepared?

Yuki:
What you need to get married.
One, first, write a letter!

Me:
Ah,
wait a second. Let me take a note...

(Preparing paper and a pencil)

Sorry, thanks for waiting.

Yuki:
Ready?

So, what you need to get married.

One,
first, write a letter.

In the letter,
you write the things you're too embarrassed to say (directly to the person).

Me:
(...Write the things I'm embarrassed about... got it.)
Okay.

Yuki:
Two,
if you have someone you like, call or email them.

If you have the courage,
talk to them directly.

Me:
Yes (seriously).

Yuki-kun:
Third,
you say, 'Please marry me.'

At this time,
don't say 'Marry me!' in a bossy way!

Me:
Yes.

Yuki-kun:
'Excuse me, but please marry me'
is
the best way to say it gently.

However, at this time...

(The other person)
might already be married, so be careful.

Me:
...Yeah, that's important.

Yuki-kun:
And if they say 'Okay,' then you choose the outfits.

Me:
Understood.

Yuki-kun:
Once you can do all of this, you can get married.

Next...

Me:
Ah (...there's still more, teacher!)
Yes!

Yuki-kun:
Then,

decide on a wedding venue.
And invite your best friend.

Lastly, an important thing!

Don't get the direction (orientation) of the wedding ring wrong!

Me:
Yeah, that's important.

(After finishing writing down the notes from the guidance)
Thank you very much!

I will do my best to get married!

Yuki-kun:
...Ah!

Soya-san,
could you make a copy of that for me?

My mom's sister isn't married, so I have to give it to her!

...After finishing this conversation with Yuki-kun,

I show the paper to my co-teacher who shares the class.

Co-teacher:
I see,
don't say it boastfully... huh. (Seriously)

Yuki-kun:
(To the co-teacher)
Hey, are you married?

Co-teacher:
Hmm, I'm not married yet.

Yuki-kun:
Ah, Soya-san.
Wait a second!

(For the co-teacher)
One more copy!

It was a peaceful afternoon.🍀

10 years have passed since then... thanks to your guidance, I was able to get married without boastfully saying "Get married!"
Thank you, Yuki-sensei.



⇩See the nextchildcare episode

What is the ultimate educational toy for raising a "smart child"?

The appeal of picture books and recommendations for books you should own arehere

Thank you for reading until the end.