I am going to be teaching my family the principals of 5s for application to the playroom and kitchen.
With "a place for everything and everything in its place" philosophy I think I can realize a 50% reduction in my boy's stall time before bed.
In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife.
I think there will also be a tremendous savings in set up time for meal prep, but in the overall picture this is pretty small.

I will also be doing a poka-yoke project to error proof the areas where the baby will eventually be crawling around.

I'm also considering a kanban system in the pantry. Does anyone have any experience with this?

No experience, but please do share yours if it turns out successfully :cool:

I think it's time for you to take a vacation:lol:

Does anyone have any experience with this?Not at home, no. If I tried that, I would probably lose weight fast: They would chew it off my bottom :notme:

/Claes

Hi Discordian,

I jot down all our household expenses in a particular month and look for "outliers". This monthly expenses are then compared with different months of the year.

These expenses are then analysed to look for "Continuous Improvements". Also when we buy an "asset item", we prepare a comparison chart to weigh the benefits.

Pl share your experiences also.

"In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife" - Do let us know how you would implement this.... maybe a flow chart or audit checklist would be fine.

Reminds me of an old joke about an efficiency expert talking to a friend about such home projects.

"I was studying how my wife made breakfast in the morning and I realized that there were many possiblitities for improvement," said the expert. "By rearranging the kitchen, running several jobs at once, etc, the whole process could be much more efficient. So in the spirit of efficiency, I told my wife all the things she was doing wrong and how the whole process could be more efficient."

"Did the suggestions cut down on the time required to make breakfast?" asked the friend.

"Absolutely. It used to take her 30 minutes to prepare my breakfast. Now it takes me 20."


Tim F

Tim,

The Chinese have a saying :- trouble/disaster originates from ones mouth.


Regards.

"In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife" - Do let us know how you would implement this.... maybe a flow chart or audit checklist would be fine.

Disposable cutlery and plates will immediatley save time and cost money:biglaugh:

"In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife" - Do let us know how you would implement this.... maybe a flow chart or audit checklist would be fine.

I'm going to start with the Alton Brown ( http://www.altonbrown.com ) methodology (which I believe he got right from 5s) - Sort everything in the kitchen and get rid off all the uni-taskers except the fire extinguisher.
right away I think I can realize a 30% savings in drawer and cabinet space!

I'm thinking that a reduction of inventory in the play room is going to be against the objectives of the organization (more toys = happier). Try telling your kids they have to reduce the amount of toys they have:mg: and then convince the grand parents that if they insist on buying new toys for birthdays and (if you celebrate it) Christmas, then the kids have to remove the obsolete items, to achieve increased inventory turns and reduce levels..............:lol:

I'm thinking you'd be better off implementing 5S in your garage or tool shed, out of the way of the family!:rolleyes:

Of course, it won't end with 5S in the house. You then have to arrange such things as one piece flow - at meal times that will be a problem too......
:lol:
Best of luck........
Andy

I certainly do hope that this show will be televised! Would love to see it from all family members' perspectives ...

I'm thinking that a reduction of inventory in the play room is going to be against the objectives of the organization (more toys = happier). Try telling your kids they have to reduce the amount of toys they have:mg: and then convince the grand parents that if they insist on buying new toys for birthdays and (if you celebrate it) Christmas, then the kids have to remove the obsolete items, to achieve increased inventory turns and reduce levels..............:lol:

I'm thinking you'd be better off implementing 5S in your garage or tool shed, out of the way of the family!:rolleyes:

Of course, it won't end with 5S in the house. You then have to arrange such things as one piece flow - at meal times that will be a problem too......
:lol:
Best of luck........
Andy


Yes. That indeed will be a major challenge. Especially since we have a 3 month old baby and I just brought down, out of the attic, a box of my 3.5 year old son's old baby toys... which he just re-added to his collection. :rolleyes:
But I think we're up to it! I'll do a powerpoint for the boy that will explain that for every new toy he wants he'll have to "turn over" and old toy he no longer plays with.
He's a smart kid! That'll work! :lmao:

This is the funniest thread I have read in a LONG time. Let me know how the divorce turns out :D. Seriously, does any believe the 5S is more than a way to say....get organized?

I had a discussion with a co-worker after she went to 5S training. She said her productivity went DOWN since she could not longer find the things she needed. That is right, my having a clutter free work environment, she could not remember where she put things. Her mind had been wired to work efficiently with her controlled clutter as she called it. Just an interesting tidbit!

I had a discussion with a co-worker after she went to 5S training. She said her productivity went DOWN since she could not longer find the things she needed. That is right, my having a clutter free work environment, she could not remember where she put things. Her mind had been wired to work efficiently with her controlled clutter as she called it. Just an interesting tidbit!

I'm guessing the training was ineffective or their implementation was off........if your co-worker couldn't find anything then someone didn't 'get it'. Since all this type of thing comes (basically) from the Toyota Manufacturing System - and they're the most efficient car maker - then I'm sure something went wrong in translation.

Now, where'd I put my cup of tea..........??

Andy

This is the funniest thread I have read in a LONG time. Let me know how the divorce turns out :D. Seriously, does any believe the 5S is more than a way to say....get organized?

I had a discussion with a co-worker after she went to 5S training. She said her productivity went DOWN since she could not longer find the things she needed. That is right, my having a clutter free work environment, she could not remember where she put things. Her mind had been wired to work efficiently with her controlled clutter as she called it. Just an interesting tidbit!


At least I'm waiting until my son gets into 1st grade before I start them 6s training. I think some of the Lean techniques are enough right now.

I'm guessing the training was ineffective or their implementation was off........if your co-worker couldn't find anything then someone didn't 'get it'. Since all this type of thing comes (basically) from the Toyota Manufacturing System - and they're the most efficient car maker - then I'm sure something went wrong in translation.

Now, where'd I put my cup of tea..........??

Andy

No, I do not think you understand :D

Of course making a process flow more efficient, especially a manufacturing process makes sense....but making it translate to how you do work in an office is a little more difficult, and people have "systems" for cataloging information in their office.

There's a show on television called "Clean Sweep".

I don't think I've seen them do a kitchen, but the premise is that this team comes into two rooms (usually bedroom plus another like an office or living room) and takes all of the stuff and puts in out in the yard. Then the homeowners sort the things into piles of "keep" and "sell" - the team convinces them to get rid of things or justify why they must keep it - and then they have a big yard sale. The team helps them build organizational units so that they have a place to put the "keep" stuff away when they're finished.

My own personal experience is that yard/garage sales are horrible - I just donate the stuff to a local charity - but watching "Clean Sweep" along with a similar show called "Mission Organization" might give you some practical ideas. I wish I could remember what channel these are on - I want to say TLC but I'm really not sure right now.

I've been trying for years to implement something akin to 5s. Let me tell you that you can arrange the workshop using 5s principles, I can arrange my hobby areas using 5s principles. BUT, I do not believe that it is ever possible to train teenagers to follow 5s principles in the house.

Example 1:
Me, looking directly at teenage son standing directly on the top of dirty underwear and socks: "Is that where the dirty underwear belongs?" "Shouldn't it be in the hamper so that I can find it when I do the laundry, without having to hunt through everybody's rooms?"

Son: "What dirty underwear?"

Example 2:
Me: "Do you guys realize that if you put the dishes away in the same spot every time we could save a lot of time hunting for a pan so that I could spend more time making you a good supper and not be stressed to the point where I don't care whether or not you get to eat?"

Son: "What are you talking about? The pan is in the kitchen somewhere, you should just be happy it isn't sitting on the drainboard. Why does everything have to be perfect with you?"

I give up. I don't cook for them, let them find their own pan. If it isn't stacked up, I don't wash it. If it isn't in the hamper, I don't wash it. If they can't find it, I just say "I told you so." Life is good. I don't have to see my therapist anymore, and I'm off the antidepressants. :lmao:

No, I do not think you understand :D

Of course making a process flow more efficient, especially a manufacturing process makes sense....but making it translate to how you do work in an office is a little more difficult, and people have "systems" for cataloging information in their office.

You're correct, Steven - I didn't get you were describing an office environment. So, actually, I agree. I've seen many organizations waste huge amounts of time and effort 5S'ing office space - why footprint the wastebin, stapler and phone?????:lmao:

Andy

I wish I could remember what channel these are on - I want to say TLC but I'm really not sure right now.

Mission Organization is either A&E or HGTV. Never saw Clean Sweep.

I'm like you, if someone can use it, I'll give it to charity. Any Yard sale I've ever done left me with one wasted day, a big advertising bill, several hours of running around trying to get change, tags, markers, pencils, and supplies and a mess where everyone went through stuff and dropped it wherever they were instead of putting it back. (and I still have a load of stuff that didn't sell to haul to a charity) My time is worth too much to waste it trying to earn 75 - 100 dollars after expenses. Give it to charity, get a receipt for taxes, and move on with life.

You're correct, Steven - I didn't get you were describing an office environment. So, actually, I agree. I've seen many organizations waste huge amounts of time and effort 5S'ing office space - why footprint the wastebin, stapler and phone?????:lmao:

Andy

I did that to a former employee while he was on vacation.
I also labaled almost everything in the office with a Brother labeler.

Hi
Great! good thinking! Charity begins at HOME:applause: All the best

Madhu
I am going to be teaching my family the principals of 5s for application to the playroom and kitchen.
With "a place for everything and everything in its place" philosophy I think I can realize a 50% reduction in my boy's stall time before bed.
In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife.
I think there will also be a tremendous savings in set up time for meal prep, but in the overall picture this is pretty small.

I will also be doing a poka-yoke project to error proof the areas where the baby will eventually be crawling around.

I'm also considering a kanban system in the pantry. Does anyone have any experience with this?

I am going to be teaching my family the principals of 5s for application to the playroom and kitchen.
With "a place for everything and everything in its place" philosophy I think I can realize a 50% reduction in my boy's stall time before bed.
In the kitchen I'm proposing and 30-50% reduction in post meal clean-up for myself and the wife.
I think there will also be a tremendous savings in set up time for meal prep, but in the overall picture this is pretty small.

I will also be doing a poka-yoke project to error proof the areas where the baby will eventually be crawling around.

I'm also considering a kanban system in the pantry. Does anyone have any experience with this?
To summarize comments so far:
You need a vacation from quality or at least a hobby, therapy in the middle and thorazine at worst.
You'll need a good divorce attorney.
You will have to discover/invent the process whereby 6 year olds actually see something wrong with a giant pile of toys/pans/dirty underwear (if they are capable of seeing it at all).

I have found that I maximize my own productivity by:
Ignoring the piles of toys, pans, dirty underwear, etc. that do not directly impact my quality of life. That is, when I cannot step through the toys to get out of the home theater (the remote means that this is only one ingress and egress per day), when a pan falls out of the overstuffed cabinet and hits me in the head, or when I can actually detect dirty laundry odor in the hallway with the boys' door shut.

Loving my wife no matter how long it takes her to make and clean up dinner, even if I have to wait for food and to enjoy a smoke on the deck with her after the meal. Since my waiting time is spent "doing nothing" I feel that this positively impacts the amount of preventive maintenance that I require.

Having the ability to "see" things that require 5S at home removed. This is not a surgical process. You can learn it from anyone between the age of 0 and 21. I suggest a group of junior high school age boys. This saves me an enormous amount of time that is more productively used pouring ice cold beer into a frosty mug (no thorazine necessary). Both beer and mug are located in the garage, which is an area where apparently no one but I am capable of seeing anything other than the two vehicles that are also stored there. Thus my ability to quickly locate and utilize said beverage and container, as no one else can find the garage refrigerator.
Example of conversation with junior high school son:
Dad (located in the Home Theater in the basement): Son, could you fetch me a cold one from the garage fridge?
Son: Where would that be located?
Dad: In the garage.
Son: No, the cold one.
Dad: In the fridge.
Son: In the kitchen?
Dad: No, in the garage.
Son: We have a kitchen in the garage?
Dad: No, we have a refrigerator in the garage.
Son: I thought you said that the only things properly stored in a garage are automobiles and the products and tools used to maintain them.
Dad: That's amazing recall for someone who can't find the third large object wrapped in sheet metal that is located in the garage.
Son: My mind is like a steel trap.
Dad: Then you will recall that the rule only applies to Tier 1 suppliers: I'm an OEM. I believe that cold beer is required to to maintain an automobile, so I've located it in the garage. You would know this if you had ever replaced the battery in a PT Cruiser. As a Tier one, your bike belongs in the shed.
Son: We have a PT Cruiser? Cool.
Dad: No, COLD. Ice Cold. We have ice cold beer in a refrigerator in the garage. I'm pouring one now. I've really enjoyed this conversation as it reassures me that the young children in my house cannot engage in underage drinking, drinking and driving or, more importantly, stealing my beer.
Son: Hey Dad, where'd you go? Where's my bike, again?

-Icy

:biglaugh: Good job!

Very good ICY, I see you still have things under control:cool:

To summarize comments so far:
You need a vacation from quality or at least a hobby, therapy in the middle and thorazine at worst.
You'll need a good divorce attorney.
You will have to discover/invent the process whereby 6 year olds actually see something wrong with a giant pile of toys/pans/dirty underwear (if they are capable of seeing it at all).

I have found that I maximize my own productivity by:
Ignoring the piles of toys, pans, dirty underwear, etc. that do not directly impact my quality of life. That is, when I cannot step through the toys to get out of the home theater (the remote means that this is only one ingress and egress per day), when a pan falls out of the overstuffed cabinet and hits me in the head, or when I can actually detect dirty laundry odor in the hallway with the boys' door shut.

Loving my wife no matter how long it takes her to make and clean up dinner, even if I have to wait for food and to enjoy a smoke on the deck with her after the meal. Since my waiting time is spent "doing nothing" I feel that this positively impacts the amount of preventive maintenance that I require.

Having the ability to "see" things that require 5S at home removed. This is not a surgical process. You can learn it from anyone between the age of 0 and 21. I suggest a group of junior high school age boys. This saves me an enormous amount of time that is more productively used pouring ice cold beer into a frosty mug (no thorazine necessary). Both beer and mug are located in the garage, which is an area where apparently no one but I am capable of seeing anything other than the two vehicles that are also stored there. Thus my ability to quickly locate and utilize said beverage and container, as no one else can find the garage refrigerator.
Example of conversation with junior high school son:
Dad (located in the Home Theater in the basement): Son, could you fetch me a cold one from the garage fridge?
Son: Where would that be located?
Dad: In the garage.
Son: No, the cold one.
Dad: In the fridge.
Son: In the kitchen?
Dad: No, in the garage.
Son: We have a kitchen in the garage?
Dad: No, we have a refrigerator in the garage.
Son: I thought you said that the only things properly stored in a garage are automobiles and the products and tools used to maintain them.
Dad: That's amazing recall for someone who can't find the third large object wrapped in sheet metal that is located in the garage.
Son: My mind is like a steel trap.
Dad: Then you will recall that the rule only applies to Tier 1 suppliers: I'm an OEM. I believe that cold beer is required to to maintain an automobile, so I've located it in the garage. You would know this if you had ever replaced the battery in a PT Cruiser. As a Tier one, your bike belongs in the shed.
Son: We have a PT Cruiser? Cool.
Dad: No, COLD. Ice Cold. We have ice cold beer in a refrigerator in the garage. I'm pouring one now. I've really enjoyed this conversation as it reassures me that the young children in my house cannot engage in underage drinking, drinking and driving or, more importantly, stealing my beer.
Son: Hey Dad, where'd you go? Where's my bike, again?

-Icy

:lol:

If you could see my "office" (which is essentially a 10' x 6' closet) you could tell that I'm no champion for this.
I'd just be the project manager.
My wife would be the champion and eat this up but I'd still have to do the work.

Great idea Discordian :applause:

i've been considering applying some of the principles and concepts of quality at home for quite some time, but a comfortable couch, cold soda, and another sitcom usually win....... but now that i know that there are other people out there who have considered doing a home experiment, maybe i'll start today too.....:)

Great idea Discordian :applause:

i've been considering applying some of the principles and concepts of quality at home for quite some time, but a comfortable couch, cold soda, and another sitcom usually win....... but now that i know that there are other people out there who have considered doing a home experiment, maybe i'll start today too.....:)

My 8 year old niece came to visit while I was at work yesterday...
She and my son emptied the toy closet.
This would have been a perfect opportunity to SORT but, alas, it was cleaned up (read: crammed back into the closet) by the time I got home.

Son: Hey Dad, where'd you go? Where's my bike, again?



:vfunny: with tears streaming down my face ..........

There's a show on television called "Clean Sweep".



My own personal experience is that yard/garage sales are horrible - I just donate the stuff to a local charity - but watching "Clean Sweep" along with a similar show called "Mission Organization" might give you some practical ideas. I wish I could remember what channel these are on - I want to say TLC but I'm really not sure right now.

Clean Sweep is on TLC, Mission Organization on HGTV. I watch when I have to clean clutter for inspiration!

FYI - I have thought about a similar thing. I tried to explain 'pull signals' with the kids, with the extra roll of TP in the basket. That when they put that on the roller - which they do - that they should replace the one in the basket. It would be a much more effective process that yelling 'Can someone go get me toilet paper!'

ICY - that was priceless.

Reminds me of an old joke about an efficiency expert talking to a friend about such home projects.

"I was studying how my wife made breakfast in the morning and I realized that there were many possiblitities for improvement," said the expert. "By rearranging the kitchen, running several jobs at once, etc, the whole process could be much more efficient. So in the spirit of efficiency, I told my wife all the things she was doing wrong and how the whole process could be more efficient."

"Did the suggestions cut down on the time required to make breakfast?" asked the friend.

"Absolutely. It used to take her 30 minutes to prepare my breakfast. Now it takes me 20."


Tim F

harry is right!!! then maybe you have to prepare your breakfast yourself, Haha

I wish I had found this thread earlier. It is very clever but fraught with danger (see Tim's post re: breakfast)
I suppose I have installed lots of this at home as it was part of my Military training and being an ex Drill instructor I love to see stones painted white , beds that you bounce a coin off, stores placed away neatly and recruits (children) obedient and rigorous in their upkeep of my teachings....simplae answer....I have four daughters and it 'ain't gonna happen :lmao:

I would have to study about my wife preparing the breakfast.

All these years I have been teaching the industry that the best example to see 'a place for everything and everything in its place' was the kitchen. Just see your wife working in the kitchen. She knows where everything is, its always there, whatever is needed frequently is kept closer at hand.. Only things not being labelled and the logic being personalised, you cant find the same things as efficiently if you attempt the trick.

Eliminate the 'personalisation' and it becomes a perfect example of 5S. I discussed this with my wife and her response was, 'maybe, but it will not be 'my' kitchen any more'. Take it or leave it!!:lmao:

I suppose I can count myself lucky. As it happens, the ladies are still fast asleep when I leave for work in the morning. That makes my breakfast a very lean affair. ;)

/Claes

Anyone here remember the 1950's movie "Cheaper By The Dozen" with Clifton Webb and Jean Crain? (Or better yet, the book) Seems to me that this project bears a strong resemblance.:lol:

sheeplady

Anyone here remember the 1950's movie "Cheaper By The Dozen" with Clifton Webb and Jean Crain? (Or better yet, the book) Seems to me that this project bears a strong resemblance.:lol:

sheeplady


a dozen? Gods forbid. Two is plenty.

The plan isn't going so hot with my (amost) 4 year old.
He's far better at taking things out than putting them back.
I'm trying to convince that Superman and Batman put away their toys when they were boys. I think he's skeptical.

Anyone here remember the 1950's movie "Cheaper By The Dozen" with Clifton Webb and Jean Crain? (Or better yet, the book) Seems to me that this project bears a strong resemblance.:lol:

sheeplady

YOU NAILED IT! Six sigma and lean are just the old Industrial Engineering time studies in a new suit!

I DO want to see that, once is in place..... It will be the resolution of several "non-conformities" at home. Please share. :)

I am just reading this thread, and I am wondering after a couple of years, if somebody was successfully teaching 5S to kids. I think teaching them to be organized in the way of how to organize, will be helpful for their lifes. But, if there is no chance of success, then I just have to eliminate the 5S idea on my head for implementing this on my home.

Just as a comment for those who laugh about office 5S, I labeled the stuffs at my desk since 2 years ago, and it worked very well for me: I can know when somebody took my tape, or something from my desk, I can know always where are the things I need most, and instead of having product samples, papers, reports, etc. stacking here, my desk is completely clean. Let me post a picture of it.

I am just reading this thread, and I am wondering after a couple of years, if somebody was successfully teaching 5S to kids. I think teaching them to be organized in the way of how to organize, will be helpful for their lifes. But, if there is no chance of success, then I just have to eliminate the 5S idea on my head for implementing this on my home.

Just as a comment for those who laugh about office 5S, I labeled the stuffs at my desk since 2 years ago, and it worked very well for me: I can know when somebody took my tape, or something from my desk, I can know always where are the things I need most, and instead of having product samples, papers, reports, etc. stacking here, my desk is completely clean. Let me post a picture of it.

That picture sure doesn't reflect the condition of my office :lol:

I am just reading this thread, and I am wondering after a couple of years, if somebody was successfully teaching 5S to kids. I think teaching them to be organized in the way of how to organize, will be helpful for their lifes. But, if there is no chance of success, then I just have to eliminate the 5S idea on my head for implementing this on my home.

Just as a comment for those who laugh about office 5S, I labeled the stuffs at my desk since 2 years ago, and it worked very well for me: I can know when somebody took my tape, or something from my desk, I can know always where are the things I need most, and instead of having product samples, papers, reports, etc. stacking here, my desk is completely clean. Let me post a picture of it.


Looks like no work gets done there.

That's is what I was thinking Steven!

Scott -

I feel your pain. I have a 3.5 year old daughter. She doesn't believe that Cinderella or any of the other Disney princesses had to clean their own room!
Why? Because the Grand Duke, or Dwarves, or whatever cleans it for her!

I will second their ability to remove EVERY toy from the toy chest (in our case a shelving unit w/ bins) but not realize that they need to be put away.

Here's a tip that has worked for us - we have started to move the toys to her room as she had gotten older (also manages to get us another 30-60 minutes of sleep on the weekends!). It has reduced the clutter in the family room AND she somehow has figured out how to put her toys back when they are in her room.......:notme:

My current phrase is "That kid is too smart for MY own good!"

Just as a comment for those who laugh about office 5S, I labeled the stuffs at my desk since 2 years ago, and it worked very well for me: I can know when somebody took my tape, or something from my desk, I can know always where are the things I need most, and instead of having product samples, papers, reports, etc. stacking here, my desk is completely clean. Let me post a picture of it.

1) Sorry but Office 5S is offensive to me. It could damage my brain.
2) your office is like mine the first day I started to work. It lasted only one hour to get a natural minimum level of entropy(=the scientific word for mess)
3) I can know when somebody took my tape, or something from my desk, I can know always where are the things I need most too but I don't post a picture cause my papers/samples started on one desk and extend to some near desks up to a near office desk.
4) nevertheless Your desk would be very appreciated by all my collegues, my wife, my boss

:caution:But beware all
The third laws of themodynamic state that entropy will always increase: you can not reduce entropy. Even if you find the entropy has been reduced in one place/system the whole system will increase the entropy. Therefore If I reduce the entropy of my desk I have to increase the entropy somewhere else by an amount higher then the original desk entropy. Therefore as the super-system is my desk+waste basket+ me, I scare I can increase my entropy (brain confusion) or waste basket entropy (scrap papers documents etc):biglaugh:

My neighbor's house is spotless.
And my wife is jealous of that.
They have no "stuff" to clutter the house - just nice furniture, tastefully arranged.

Of course one of the kids is a Junior in HS and the other is a sophomore in college.

So I've been single handedly supporting the economy by going on a buying binge for storage and organization stuff for the kitchen and play room - bins from Ikea, outdoor storage to get outdoor toys out of the house, bill/mail organizers, etc.

But it's an impossible battle comparing houshold with a (almost) 6 year old and 2.5 year old to one with HS and college age kids.

She doesn't want to hear that argument though.

*sigh*

When my children were small, and I was stressing over the 'condition' of the house, I read in a 'family' magazine that a perfectly clean house, indicates that the kids aren't being 'stimulated.' The writer indicated she'd rather see crayons and coloring books on the kitchen table with artwork on the fridge, and toys on the floor, rather than a house with nothing out of order. I probably took that a little too far :mg: but none the less, it was my 'excuse.' Now I have 2 in college and one left at home. While it's a little easier, I still have my scrapbooking, home office, oh - and 2 shedding dogs, that doesn't let me have the neat as a pin house. Oh well. Keep us posted on how the storage project works out!

Scott,

I don't have a 6 year old but all of my friends have given up on trying to keep a household with small children clean all of time.

NOBODY has that much energy! My daughter has 4 play areas in the house - still manages to keep each area just clean enough that we don't lose our minds.

Hi vallesj,
may be my previous answer looks too offensive, it was not my intention.
Anyone must be free to work as they like. If You work better with 5S principles it is perfect.
IMHO I can understand 5S application to production line working in 3 shifts. I would like it will happen into my production!, but for a designer or any person who needs creativity, inspiration, fantasy, imagination, intuition etc make no sense to impose useless constrains and after ask for training in "lateral thinking" and so on.
Once one customer showed us 5s application to his office. On all the desks they draw white squares where to put the PC monitor, the keyboard, the mouse, the pencil etc, so all the desks will look the same!
I spend most of my time at work, may be most of us too, so my desk must be comfortable to me not to anybody else otherwise it will only be my company desk!
I may try to apply problem solve disciplines as well as Zen principles, "lateral thinking", mathematical models or something else in order to solve a problem. I wont to have a "open" mind and 5S seems to me just a constrain.


btw. for anybody with the hope that with older children will be easier. My children create more mess now (youngest is 16 years old) then when they were younger.
(the word create has been chosen to reflect the objectiveness that the mess can invade and cover an area 50 times larger the sum of the area of the single used object)

When my children were small, and I was stressing over the 'condition' of the house, I read in a 'family' magazine that a perfectly clean house, indicates that the kids aren't being 'stimulated.' The writer indicated she'd rather see crayons and coloring books on the kitchen table with artwork on the fridge, and toys on the floor, rather than a house with nothing out of order. I probably took that a little too far :mg: but none the less, it was my 'excuse.' Now I have 2 in college and one left at home. While it's a little easier, I still have my scrapbooking, home office, oh - and 2 shedding dogs, that doesn't let me have the neat as a pin house. Oh well. Keep us posted on how the storage project works out!

Since my Son left for College the middle of August and it is only my 15 yr. old daughter with me at home we have noticed:

No more socks, shirts, shoes, cleats and packbags laying around.
The usageage of bowls, spoons and various other eating utensilies has remarkably declined.
Towel washing and folding time for me has dramatically dropped. We also seem to be able to keep toilet paper around longer then before.

Labor day weekend when I took Son back to College and helped him carry some more things to his dorm room, I found all the above items laying around in his dorm room (for the exception of the TP of course) and I was happily delighted to know, I was not a bad Parent/Housekeeper all these years when my house was in a disarray. :D

Still have one boy at home and wouldn't trade any of it for anything. Less cleats, seems like the same number of dishes! I have 'boycotted' when they wondered why there weren't any dishes in the cupboard. Like I'm the only one that could see them in the sink! With 3 boys, I realized early on, I couldn't do it all. They've all done laundry since about age 12. Doesn't mean the house is 5S, but I also let go of the stress of making it so! We keep up but don't stress over the occasional CHAOS day (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). If you want to come over and see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house - call ahead!

Still have one boy at home and wouldn't trade any of it for anything. Less cleats, seems like the same number of dishes! I have 'boycotted' when they wondered why there weren't any dishes in the cupboard. Like I'm the only one that could see them in the sink! With 3 boys, I realized early on, I couldn't do it all. They've all done laundry since about age 12. Doesn't mean the house is 5S, but I also let go of the stress of making it so! We keep up but don't stress over the occasional CHAOS day (Can't Have Anyone Over Syndrome). If you want to come over and see me, come anytime. If you want to see my house - call ahead!

LOL...I have done the "boycotting" also. I even presented a bill to them, itemized to what it will cost them for me to pick everything up. Laundry the same thing, they have done their own since about 12, but not anything extra like towels.

I did use the 5S with my daughter, because she drove me nuts when she took things out of the cupboard and not put it back and I would find it in her room.
I took items out of her room that she uses on daily basis, and placed them in spots where they did not belong, eventually she got the hint, and now I do not have to rummage through her room to get the things back that I need. Nothing is more frustrating to a teenage daughter when she has to waste time looking for something, when she could use the time putting make-up on...I am evil sometimes..:)

Get two dishwashers in your kitchin.

One clean, one dirty (on a rotating basis) Attach "clean" and "dirty" magnets if you like.

This elimates the timely task of "putting away" and also saves space as it means you don't need cupboards :cool:

[QUOTE=Bifften;270279]Get two dishwashers in your kitchin.

One clean, one dirty (on a rotating basis) Attach "clean" and "dirty" magnets if you like.

This elimates the timely task of "putting away" and also saves space as it means you don't need cupboards :cool:[/QUOTE

Okay I will bite, did you resort to that mad method? :tg:

The only thing holding me back is not having my own kitchin - or house for that matter. :o


As soon as I do though :agree1:

Well, don't be offended guys, but it seems that:
1.- North American Culture prevents individuals to be more organized since they were not educated for that when younger.
2.- For some of you that believes that it is their space the desk at work, You are wrong!!!! computer, monitors, chairs.. everything belongs to your company, probably only the pictures of the family or any other souvenir will be yours. This resemble a paradox told by Jesus Christ about the boss who gave their employees some money, one just save it, meanwhile the other one multiplied that money. In other words, what image, without excuses, you can have of an organized guy and any who loves entropy? I can not see any of you hiring the guy who loves entropy, who has a resume full of creativity. Just compare first world cities vs developing cities and you will see the difference on mentality (also in what city will you be more comfortable).
3.- There will be always excuses that prevents us to be better persons, and the worst thing is that some people strongly believe on their excuses.
4.- Many parents don't play often with their kids, if so, they will be more successful on educating them correctly.
5.- I agree with you that this is not an easy task, but as one of my best directors said when I was on theater, It depends of us to be successful or to have a perfect excuse for don't. And you know that on Theater you need to be very creative.
6.- I hate the doctors, and I always complain their bad writing. However, they lived also with the excuse -hey, I am a Doctor, I can write as I like. no matters that I can not understand what the hell was the prescription.
7.- My last comment is that it is good to change your habits, unless you feel damaged by them, If you are going to damage a relationship with your family, forget it don't push other persons. If it put so much pressure on you forget it, unless you want to be recognized as the few guys that do things better than the average of the people. And that is our decision, we choose where we want to stand, on the winner position, or on the average.

Well, I think we got so much deviated from my original question: Do any of you got success implementing 5s at home with kids? If so, I would like to know how, so I will not start from zero.

let me know if you're successful, normally at home there is only one "s"....SHE, as in SHE IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!

Get two dishwashers in your kitchin.

One clean, one dirty (on a rotating basis) Attach "clean" and "dirty" magnets if you like.

This elimates the timely task of "putting away" and also saves space as it means you don't need cupboards :cool:

lol, in most kitchens (in houses built longer than say 10 years ago) if you put in two dishwashers you wouldn't have any cupboards left, you'd need to store the dishes in the dishwasher.:notme:

I have started some 5S with my daughter (she's 7). I started out with little things (her plate to the kitchen, shoes, etc.) and would remind her a few times. She is now responsible for her room, clothes, dusting, bed made, etc. Now, it's not always done perfect but if I believe the effort was put forth, I'll accept it.
During the week, we'll look around the place and make suggestions for projects for the weekend. Things like it is time for dad to pull the couch out and clean behind it, time to go through all the computer stuff, etc.
They aren't big projects but it's something we'll do on the weekend since I work and she's in school.
As for her room, she a list of wants for her room (Hannah Montana!) and we have set goals so she can get her room done the way she wants it. Next weekend we'll probably be painting it. But the bottom line is that she has to maintain (sustain) it.
I will say this, not having to pick up her shoes, or pick up her book bag during the weekends she spends with her mom, it sure makes the place seem empty.
I don't expect her to be perfect, she's only 7, but she has learned that keeping her room in order makes it a lot easier and quicker to clean on weekends, especially when you want to go down to the lake!
Or those colored pens are a lot easier to find when they are in the right drawer, etc.

My husband thought I should do that I decided that I would not like have all the paintings around the kitchen products like we have here in the mill.:lol:

Talk about cleaning up a mess. My daughter and I carved a pumpkin for Halloween this weekend and got into a bit of a fight with the stuff we pulled out of the pumpkin. I don't know who won, but we had a huge mess to clean up.
I think it may have stained the walls too!
Wish I would have had that on video, it's something we'll remember (or at least I will) for the rest of our lives. We had a blast, laughed so hard my sides are still sore!:lmao:

As they say, Randy, "that will leave a mark!" as a veteran of many pumpkin wars, let me tell you that pumpkin guts do stain some painted surfaces...like if you have flat paint in a light color.