Before you know it, your maternity leave will whiz by and you’ll be faced with returning to work. Some employers now offer the option of working at home. If yours does, you may want to take advantage of the opportunity. Doing a job from home can allow you to spend more time with baby, but in order for the arrangement to succeed you need to set a few ground rules.

Rule 1: Set up a room or part of a room as an office or work area.
Organization is key to working at home. You don’t want to be looking for paperwork between diaper coupons and baby magazines. To solve the problem devote a room or part of a room to your work. Separating work from everything else will help you function more efficiently.

Rule 2: Plan a specific time for working and stick to it.
Scheduling your work hours will help make nonwork hours enjoyable and guilt-free. Just make sure you have a balance between work and family–and don’t forget time for yourself.

Rule 3: Try to work while baby naps or after bedtime.
A good time to focus on work is when your baby’s sleeping and the house is quiet. You’ll be surprised how much more work you’ll get done when distractions are at a minimum.

Rule 4: Arrange your schedule so your spouse can look after baby while you work.
One way to encourage a relationship between dad and baby is to give them time together. While they’re bonding for a few hours, take the opportunity to get some work done.

Rule 5: Rely on a baby-sitter when necessary.
There may be projects when you’ll need a large block of time to complete a particular job. This is the ideal time to utilize a baby-sitter. Depending on your situation and in-home work area, this could be at your home or the baby-sitter’s–whatever works best.

Rule 6: Take baby along for pickups and deliveries.
Commuting together is a great way to spend time with your baby while keeping up with work responsibilities.

Rule 7: Get help with household chores so you still have time for baby.
Cooking, cleaning, shopping, bill-paying, work, caring for your family–sometimes there just aren’t enough hours in the day. No need to despair. Set your priorities and hire someone else to chase the dust bunnies or do the shopping.