A working couple take a day off from their baby every week to get a "guaranteed" good nights sleep and says it makes them "better parents".<br /><br />Lauren, 31, and Ross Stevens, 34, were looking for childcare solutions for their 14-month-old Sophie so Lauren could return to work.<br /><br />The parents couldn't afford the £1,700 monthly bill for full-time nursery and don't have family in the same city.<br /><br />They decided to let Ross' parents pick their granddaughter up from a half day at nursery every Monday and take them back to there home in Ayrshire, Scotland.<br /><br />Sophie then spends the night, before they take her back to nursery for the afternoon on Tuesday - when Lauren then picks her up.<br /><br />The day allows the parents to get a guaranteed good nights sleep and get on top of household chores and for Sophie to have quality time with her grandparents.<br /><br />Lauren, who works in finance, from Edinburgh said: "Nursery is so expensive.<br /><br />"It's treble our mortgage to have her in for five days a week. Even four days was double.<br /><br />"I asked Ross' parents if they would be interested in doing the over night.<br /><br />"They wanted to help.<br /><br />"I think it has been brilliant. <br /><br />"I get to do things like shopping, cleaning. Because we get that time off we get it all done.<br /><br />"I get a guaranteed night of good sleep. She didn't sleep until 11 months old - we're seriously sleep deprived.<br /><br />"It makes us better parents.<br /><br />"I can then just focus on being with her." <br /><br />Lauren and Ross, a building merchant, pay for two half days of nursery a week - costing £79 - and two days with a childminder.<br /><br />Ross' parents look after Sophie on Monday afternoon through to Tuesday lunch time in their Ayrshire home - an hour and a half away.<br /><br />Lauren is then with Sophie on Wednesday and she goes to a childminder for the rest of the week.<br /><br />Lauren was a little worried about the arrangement at first.<br /><br />She said: "The fact it was formal - it was nerve-wracking.<br /><br />"It comes with its challenges. There is guilt around it."<br /><br />Lauren uses the time to get on top of the housework and chores as well as having some down time.<br /><br />She said: "I don't have to sneak around. I go for a bath.<br /><br />"I'm not then stressed about cleaning the house.<br /><br />"It alleviates all that.<br /><br />"We don't have the dropping her off with family for half an hour."<br /><br />The couple haven't used the time off yet for a date night but hope to start treating themselves to one once a month.<br /><br />Lauren says it's also for Sophie's grandparents to get quality time with her.<br /><br />She said: "It's more valuable for them. They have a cuddle before bed time. They are nicer memories.<br /><br />"They are absolutely loving it. They wouldn't have it any other way."<br /><br />Lauren says she has had some backhanded compliments from friends and online strangers.<br /><br />She said: "They say 'I would have loved to have that but I just can't ever be apart'.<br /><br />"I'm a person as well - I have to make sure all my cups are full. <br /><br />"Otherwise you won't be a good parent."
