If you have young children, then deciding how to design your home office has probably given you a headache. There have been times of chaos in my own home when my young children have ripped up or colored on important papers, stuck objects into disk drives, and jammed printers with toys. With this under my belt, I can give you some good advice on how to prevent this happening in your home office.

First of all, if you have young kids, separating work from family is going to be nearly impossible. In addition, you are going to need to be very innovative at times in order to get any work done. When designing your home office, envision what layout would work best for you when you are working and taking care of kids at same time.

LAYOUT SUGGESTIONS

1. Locate Office Near Kitchen - If your kids are anything like mine, locating your office near kitchen is essential. My kids are always thirsty and it makes them happy to get a full sippy cup. My first office was located on second floor, and was quickly moved downstairs for this reason.

2. Buy a Cheap TV / VCR - In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with letting your children watch TV, especially if you have to finish your work. We bought a very cheap TV and VCR ($200) and placed it in my office. When kids have become bored of all of their toys, I pop in their favorite tape.

3. Small Table / Desk - A good idea is to find a small table or desk for your children. You can give them a toy phone, paper, pencils, a Rolodex, folders, and other office materials so that they can pretend to be you. In addition, they will love it if you ask them to help you with your work.

4. Bookshelf or Drawer - Fill a bookshelf or drawer with toys or knickknacks that kids can play with. You should change these toys weekly so they won't get bored of these playthings.

5. Old Keyboard - If you have an old keyboard lying around somewhere, by all means give it to your children. Kids love to imitate their parents.

CHILDPROOFING

3. The heart-shaped griddle or frying pan ring for your Valentine’s pancakes and fried eggs, just $5.49: http://www.romanticgifts.com/RomanticGifts/njscat.nsf/adminCatalog/E329061D73D3165188256A31001EE646!OpenDocument&15.+Kitchen+$+Dining . Add a few drops of red food coloring to pancake dough.

4. “Love Ya” Little Guys Lunch: heart-shaped sandwich in lunch box, strawberry jam and cream cheese. Put “Love Potion” in thermos – Hawaiian punch, but tape on a new label! Pop in some Hershey’s kisses and candy hearts for dessert.

5. Family Valentine dinner – put that meatloaf in a heart-shaped pan. (Stainless steel heart-shaped baking form: ( http://www.cooking.com/products/shprodde.asp?SKU=189433 ). When its done, frost it with mashed potatoes and put some Xs and Os on it with squeeze-bottle catsup. Alternate version: Slice potatoes thin and parboil. Mix with raw hamburger and tomato soup and put in individual heart-shaped ramekins. When cooked, pipe mashed potatoes around edge and sprinkle with cayenne or paprika. 6. Serve a “red” dinner for kids – heart-shaped pasta with tomato sauce, make pizzas shaped like hearts, red kool aid, cinnamon hearts in hot cocoa and of course red jello hearts!

7. How to set mood for your Valentine’s dinner for two: http://interiordec.about.com/library/weekly/aa020900a.htm .

8. Two fabulously romantic menus with recipes: http://entertaining.about.com/library/weekly/aa020700a.htm?once=true .