Aibu to not get up early?

[LateRiserLazyCow]

In my late 40s, kids left the nest, and have realised that I'm just not a morning person!
During covid lockdown my body clock seemed to find its own rhythm and I found myself going to bed around 1-2am and waking around 9 or 10am. I'm lucky that after struggling with working early mornings for years I've been able to find a job starting later in the day.
This is all good but I get alot of stick from people for supposedly being 'lazy' because I'm not up at bloody 6am like them. Constantly exclaiming horror at me still being in bed when they've been up for hours!
Why are they so judgemental! You live your life and stop judging me for living mine...

I have a friend (for 20+ years) that goes to bed at 1-2 am and gets up between 10-11 am. Runs a highly successful accounting business and even had all her dc on that schedule (though bed at 11 pm for sleep until 11 am wake up) until they were in Reception. She even sent her dc to a private school for nursery because they only ran an afternoon program for 3 year olds that started at 1 pm. She had to shift while they were at primary but more days than not this is still her preferred method now her 3 dc are older. She kept this schedule at the weekends all through the primary age years- it's really her natural rhythm.

It's not something I'd do but it isn't harming anyone. Whatever floats your boat @LateRiserLazyCow !

I think the main thing that comes out of these threads for me is everyone has their own natural rhythm. But the early birds can be really judgemental (my apologies if that’s ever been me) personally I’m an early bird and you’d all have every right to judge me as a lightweight as I’m often asleep by 9pm.

I feel physically ill if I have to get up early.
can’t stand early mornings- I need at least 9 hours sleep.

I’ve pretended to work shifts too. I mean, it’s not exactly a lie as I do occasionally work into the night.

I get the opposite, 'I can't believe you're in bed by 9pm, it's so early' actually sometimes I go to bed at 8pm and waste an hour doing nothing. I like my bed I want as much time in it as possible. I'm a naturally early riser, so what. I also like that we're all different and when I've had to be awake very late at night into the early hours for work I quite like knowing that someone somewhere is also still up!

I get this from other mums whenever sleep gets brought up in conversation, my 3yr old DD wakes up regularly at 8/8.30. I often get a judgemental/jealous look or comment after saying they've been up since 5/6am. Not my problem! I'm not taking away from their abilities as a parent but sleep was our main priority and I've worked hard to get her to this stage. We love our sleep and get no enjoyment from waking up hours before we need to.

Not unreasonable at all. I’m the same, I think my natural body clock is similar to yours but small children stops me doing this. I don’t see this changing, I’m just not a morning person but instead get much more energy in the evenings. Currently I’m always tired as I just can’t sleep before midnight. I hate this assumption that going to bed early and getting up early means a productive person, staying up late and sleeping later means lazy! Whereas actually both get the same amount of sleep! We’re not all morning people and it’s great that you’re listening to your body now you can.

I've had this. My children both tend to lie in at weekends. We had a few years of early wake ups but honestly, our youngest is 9 now and we've regularly been able to sleep in for at least 2 or 3 years now. Plus, neither of them desperately want or need us first thing so if DD wakes up, she'll just get her iPad out or do some drawing or whatever. It's not unusual for people to suggest that somehow, this is bad for DD.

What is it that they think we should be doing? Enriching activities for every moment they're awake? I don't get it. If we all have a lie in, we'll enjoy a late breakfast, then head off to do something fun or active. No rush to get back for a specific early supper or bed time. It's great. a couple of weeks ago, DD and I slept till 9, then she went to her dance classes, then we spontaneously decided to go into London. We had a fabulous day out and only got back at 7:30 at which point I made us all dinner. Was great.

If I didn’t work I would definitely be in bed from 10 til 10, love my sleep.