How much time do you feel is reasonable to ask for alone time in a week?

I don't have any kids but I do think childcare should be as shared as much as is practically possible. Obviously I don't know you or your boyfriend but purely from what you've said here I'd say he has a somewhat selfish attitude. Does he work at a job?

I hope he will step up and be a better dad and partner. He should start by spending more time with her while you are there to build up some confidence in his abilities as maybe that is part of the problem. Maybe he would take her for a little walk for starters? That would give you a break at home at least. Find something that he would enjoy doing with her - feeding her? walking her in the buggy? Something that would appeal to him? Then let him to figure out how to best do the task just as you had to figure it out between you and her. I have seen moms who insist dad do things a certain way and then dad just hands the baby back. Then the baby starts to always demand attention from mom, etc. Dads need the same opportunity to figure it out that moms usually get. If he starts to do one or two things he might get more interested. I agree you shouldn't have to encourage him to spend time with her, but it could pay off in the long run to do so. I certainly didn't have the chance to go out without my baby (my late niece) but my husband did spend lots of time with her when he was home and they had a great life long bond because of it. Worth the effort. When my late niece had her baby she was part of a group of moms who all had babies within a short time. They became such great friends and are still a support to her son and husband. I wonder if you can check with your community services to find if there are groups like that you can join. Take care.

You definitely deserve that respite but shocking that your boyfriend is not willing to take care of the baby while you are gone. You better make some other arrangement so that you get some time for yourself.

I'm sorry he won't give you a break for a little while. I have never asked my husband for one but I'm sure he would watch our kids if I did ask. He loves having daddy time with them.

When my son was 7 weeks I was still nursing him and I believe I had just started working again. Neither 1 of us really spent time by ourselves away from the baby when he was that little. It's also bonding time. I understand you're tired and being a new mom is exhausting I know. It's part of being a parent though. He better not leave you home alone with the baby while HE goes out and has fun. That would be totally unfair. Try getting a baby sitter for a night? Maybe that might help.

Your boyfriend sounds very selfish, or maybe he just realizes he's not competent or mature enough to be trusted to take care of a 7 week old baby. He should understand that you need at least a little time to yourself.

Get a babysitter

thats still your baby s o if you have have selfish boyfriend I wou ld telk him to get a ob or get out. He does not sound like a good bet as a baby sitter or as a husband or significant other. do not leave him alone wih the baby as he clearly resens it get him out of y our life.

Honestly, I think we all deserve time to ourselves, relax, and not worry about your child and such. As a parent myself, I can relate. Both my husband and I need time to ourselves, and are both willing to help each other out, when we need some time to ourselves. I think it's normal. We're raising our kids together as a team, and we help each other out. That's what couples do, and should do, in my opinion. Maybe you should talk to him about it. I don't think it's too much to ask him to watch your daughter for an hour or two while you go out for a bit. Maybe he has some concerns being by himself with her. If he's just not willing to do that or help you have some time to yourself, maybe he's just not the right guy. Just my thoughts. I would at least talk to him about how you feel.

Is it that he doesn't want to watch her or does he feel a bit worried because she is so young and he doesn't feel confident? You are entitled to some time on your own occasionally - it isn't too much to ask at all. Do you have anyone else you can ask? But really there should be at least some sharing of the care of your baby. Just sayin...

After reading the comments on this post, I'm wondering if you are in an emotionally abusive relationship. Don't leave your boyfriend alone with the baby. He might take it out on her. If he has no job, does nothing around the house, does not help with the baby and yells at you then maybe he is the reason you need to de-stress. You are actually taking care of two infants. The only good thing in this scenario is that you did not marry him. He will not change. He will only get worse. Start to strengthen yourself with your connections to your family, friends, community resources, your church and God. Don't let him weaken you. Take small steps now, and before you know it, you will have help and be strong enough to leave him if necessary.

It's time to have a serious talk with your boyfriend. It's not just you and him anymore. It's about your child now too. Do you want your baby to grow up feeling that her father doesn't care for her? Kids are impressionable and vulnerable. If he is not ready to take up his role as a father then you need to stand strong and firm. As a mother you already know that your child deserves better. As a woman yourself you deserve better too. If I were in your place I would suffer heartbreak and walk out of this relationship with my head held high than have my child suffer long term psychological or even emotional consequences of having an uncaring parent like your boyfriend.

I'm affraid life does change when you have children I have 2 children and we do everything together. My days have gone going partying like before, figure of speech.. I laid the bed now to deal with it as a mature parent. If we want to go out we obviously ask my mother in law (who has never accepted me in the family being British!) to look after her grandkids for a couple of hours while me and hubby go out to spend some lone time, which is rare because we always involve our children no matter what. Your daughter is only 7 weeks you say.. early stage of parenting so enjoy it for now untill you reach 2-3years!!! Even though I'm lucky I've had 2 good kids