Supermom Series — Maximize Mom’s Minutes with 3 Simple Tips (Part Three)
Photo by Sofia Shultz on Pexels
5S Supermom: Streamlining Your Space, Saving Time, and Summoning Serenity
Attention, Mothers! Are you wasting time scrambling and searching for the everyday things you need? Doesn’t it always seem like your kid’s shoes are hiding from you just as you’re about to run out the door? As busy mothers, our precious time spent searching is time wasted that we could spend with our family. Battle Time in style by simplifying and organizing your life through the power of 5S.
In our first article, you learned visual management tools for planning what to do and when - saving you time by thinking ahead and avoiding daily confusion. Use spaghetti diagrams to plan how to make your daily routines efficient. By unbundling your spaghetti, you are simplifying your path and saving time.
5S is your third tool in Supermom’s arsenal - helping you find where to store your things. In 5 simple steps, you can prepare for battle, organize your space, grab things quickly, and celebrate your win!
Discover the Power of 5S: How Moms Can Master Chaos with Style
5S is a methodology that comes from Japanese management philosophies. It’s used for organizing in manufacturing and the workplace. 5S, like visual management and spaghetti diagrams, are used to reduce waste, simplify processes, and save time. An organized area reduces the time spent hunting for things when needed. It also speeds up the time to put things away because everything has its place.
The method follows five simple steps.
Sort - Separate belongings that you need and don’t need.
Straighten - Systematically organize the remaining items.
Shine - Clean and tidy the area and put items in their new place.
Standardize - Communicate the new locations by labeling them or taking photos to show how the space should always look.
Sustain - Make sure the newly organized space stays tidy by checking on it to make sure everything is returned to its place.
How is this your next superpower? Use this weapon to save time and stop searching for what you need. Rest assured that your area is organized. You’ll know where everything is every time.
It also simplifies clean-up time. 5S your kids’ toys, shoes, school bags, and rooms to quickly and easily put things away. No more stopping to think about where things should go.
Less stress for mom means more time with your family in a calm and organized environment. Enjoy an evening of relaxing with the kids or helping with homework instead of constantly cleaning up and finding new places to hide the mess.
Photo by Gustavo Fring on Pexels
Because we made spaghetti in the kitchen, let’s start by 5S-ing the same area as your spaghetti diagram. Choose something you use often and find yourself digging for what you need - like the pantry or utensil drawers. Tackle an area that causes you frustration and stress.
Let’s simplify the utensil drawers. Grab your kids and assemble your superhero team to fight the battle. When you work together, the kids become part of the solution. They may be full of great ideas and will feel special when you use their suggestions. Who doesn’t it love when someone says yes to your fantastic idea?
Plan and Organize:
Like the other Supermom weapons, this is simple with only basic supplies needed. Grab a trash can, donation bag, a rag, soapy water, paper towels, and spray cleaner. Think about the space in advance and consider buying an organizer, bins, baskets, or labels to standardize your new space. Colored bins or labels make great visuals. And shelf liners are a great way to freshen up your space and add a splash of color!
Step 1:
Sort by removing everything from the drawers that you want to organize. Create a donate, trash, and keep pile. Go through each item and place it in one of the three piles. Ask yourself what you need to keep. Do you have to-go chopsticks that you’ve kept for months or years? Or old ketchup packets and soy sauce? Trash it all!
Remember that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Donating to friends, family, or charities are great ways to give your items a second life. Have your team take items to neighbors or choose friends who would love something fun and new. Enjoy the feel-good moment of simplifying and getting your space back.
Photo by rdne stock project on Pexels
Step 2:
Straighten by organizing the items you decide to keep. Let your teammates pitch in with ideas and help organize. Plan what will work best and how to put things away in their new spot. What will make it easy to find what you need quickly? Keep items easy to reach if you use them often. Grab your supplies like bins, baskets, organizers, and shelf liners.
Consider bundling items like forks, knives, spoons, cooking utensils, towels, miscellaneous. This makes it easier to find in the future.
Don’t forget about your little superheroes who can’t reach very high. Store items that they use like cups, plates, and bowls where they can reach. Help them win their little battle against Time by not having to wait for you to get them what they need. Take one more responsibility off of your “plate”!
Photo by Polesie Toys on Pixabay
Step 3:
Shine by giving your space a quick clean-up. Grab your supplies and give the area a good deep cleaning. Depending on the space, a quick wipe-down for dust and crumbs may be all that is needed.
Here is another great team activity. Cleaning can be a very satisfying and simple task for kids to show off their skills. After sprucing things up, take a step back to enjoy your freshly cleaned and organized space.
Photo by Liliana Drew on Pexels
Step 4:
Standardize by using your baskets, bins, and organizers. Involve your team and label or color-code your bins and drawers to mark where things belong. Let your superheroes have some fun with color and learn the process.
Think about what fits best with your spaghetti diagram. Store your items to flow with your cooking process that you just improved! You will want to put things in the best place, minimize steps, and save time.
Photo by Jaclyn Baxter on Unsplash
Step 5:
Sustain your new space by regularly checking that items are returned to their place. Talk with your team to make sure they understand where everything goes and that you expect them to help keep everything organized.
It may take some time for them to remember the new plan and that you’re serious! Your attention to this will be critical. They may go back to old habits. To effectively sustain, you will need to monitor and coach as needed.
Photo by Towfiqu barbhuiya on Unsplash
5S Your Way to Simplicity and Serenity
Supermom, don’t stop in the kitchen! Follow the same steps and declutter toys, organize clothes, and tidy up your linen closet. Think about the toy room or closet. Labeled bins and designated space for each item helps to simplify clean-up time!
Your closet can become your most serene spot in the house! Quickly find what you need with everything in its special place. Don’t forget to use your visual management weapon and plan your outfits. Take your linen closet to the next level with labeled baskets and organized towels. Imagine taking pride every time you go in for a towel or band-aid, smiling at how easy it is to find what you need!
Photo by Anastasia Shuraeva on Pexels
Why Do You Need 5S in Your Arsenal?
5S-ing throughout your house reduces clutter, creating space for what you need - especially the mental space to think and relax. As you clear your space, take some time to clear your mind. Learn more by reading Elisa Card’s article, “When Scary Emotions Rise Up Like Now: What are your essential Mind - Body - Soul Rituals”.
Applying the simple 5S steps can help mothers like you create a more efficient and harmonious living space, reduce stress, and improve the quality of life for the entire family.
It’s time to assemble your amazing team for your mission. Put your new weapons to work. Plan and communicate with visual management, simplify with spaghetti diagrams, and organize with 5S for a winning combination. Stop racing the clock with your NEW lean-momufacturing superpowers, you’re ready to conquer Time!
Photo by Malvestida on Unsplash
Bonus: Meet the Creators of the Time-Management Series for Mothers
Kristen Lydecker and Elisa Card combined their expertise to bring proven time-saving techniques to you. Follow the Supermom Series — Maximizing Mom’s Minutes: A Lean Approach to Three Time Management Tips for Busy Mothers.
Kristen Lydecker
Kristen Lydecker is a professional with nearly 20 years of expertise in applying lean manufacturing and continuous improvement techniques at work and home. As someone who doesn’t want to miss a beat, she applies principles that accelerate success in the manufacturing industry to her everyday life. This allows her to maximize her time with family and friends.
Her passion is leading others and helping them reach their full potential by sharing her experiences and perspectives through writing. If you are looking for someone who can relate to your challenges or write about leadership and manufacturing techniques, look no further than Kristen. Check out her blog about parenting, business travel, and the fun adventures of a stay-at-home dad. Check out her website at copywrittenbykristen.com to learn more about her writing services and book a discovery call.
Elisa Card
Mother of 5 boys, ELISA CARD is a well-being sophrology expert and author of “Becoming Me! It took five boys.” She is a dynamic global speaker known for her engaging and transformative presentations. With a unique blend of STEM background and entrepreneurial expertise, Elisa brings a fresh perspective to personal and professional well-being. Her mission focuses on empowering professional mothers to achieve emotional and financial freedom, nurturing family legacy, and harnessing higher consciousness for impactful living.
Through her online programs and in-person well-being retreats, Elisa’s work is dedicated to enhancing well-being and stress management. Elisa’s mentoring is a journey towards self-discovery and a lasting positive change for managing stress, fostering emotional well-being, and promoting a healthy work-life balance. Schedule a call today to talk to Elisa Card, wellness coach at Happy2Succeed.
