Diana Shams, a mother from Gaza, has penned a poignant account of motherhood amid the devastation of war in her book, A Different Kind of Motherhood. This work reflects her experiences during a time when over 68,000 people have died, mostly civilians, due to the ongoing conflict, which a United Nations inquiry has classified as genocide. Shams’s narrative captures the challenges faced by mothers living in constant peril, offering a unique lens on life in a region often characterized by violence and hardship.
In her book, Shams recounts her life before the conflict escalated, noting her concerns about typical parenting issues such as screen time and sugar intake. She describes her initial understanding of motherhood as filled with “sleepless nights, picky eaters, school runs, messy rooms, and too much laundry.” However, these worries were eclipsed by the stark reality of raising children under the threat of bombardment and destruction.
During a temporary truce in early 2025, Shams and her family returned to their home to clear out the rubble and begin the process of rebuilding. With her laptop buried beneath the debris, she took to her mobile phone to write her story. The result is a heartfelt chronicle that highlights not only her journey but also the experiences of other Palestinian mothers who have suffered unimaginable loss.
Shams writes, “No one prepares you to raise children through sirens, smoke and screams.” Her words resonate deeply as she recalls the struggles of maintaining a semblance of normalcy while navigating life’s unpredictability. The book serves as a testament to the resilience of mothers who have given birth in shelters, often without medical assistance, and who continue to care for their families despite overwhelming grief and loss.
The backdrop of Shams’s narrative is the besieged Gaza Strip, often referred to as the world’s largest open-air prison. Even before the war, she faced significant challenges, striving for normalcy in a life marked by conflict. After the arrival of her first child, Karim, she and her husband managed to save and borrow to purchase a home, painting it in anticipation of their second child, Rose, born in early 2023.
When the war escalated, they were forced to flee their home. Shams recalls the harrowing experience of moving repeatedly for safety, ultimately settling in a tent after sleeping in their car. She reflects on her longing for a peaceful existence, writing, “Sometimes, when I couldn’t sleep, I thought about mothers in other countries… who tuck their children into soft beds with clean sheets.”
Despite the chaos surrounding her, Shams discovered an outlet for her thoughts through social media. Documenting her daily life on platforms like TikTok, she shared moments of cooking, searching for essential supplies, and engaging with her children. A viral video capturing the flooding of her tent during a rainstorm garnered significant attention, leading to an outpouring of sympathy from people around the world. This response motivated her to be a voice for mothers in Gaza who are often unheard.
Social media has provided a platform for Shams to convey her experiences, yet it also highlights the stark contrast between her life and that of mothers in more stable regions. She notes, “In other countries, mothers are worrying about homework, grades, screen time,” while in Gaza, the primary concern is survival and the hope for a future where children can safely attend school.
Shams emphasizes that her book is not merely a personal account but a collective narrative of all mothers in Gaza facing similar struggles. “I wrote this book not just for myself, but for every mother in Gaza who has rocked her baby while the ceiling shook,” she states. A Different Kind of Motherhood is a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of women enduring unimaginable hardships in pursuit of safety and normalcy for their families.
This deeply personal account is now available as an e-book, providing readers with insight into the realities of motherhood in a conflict zone and serving as a call to recognize the struggles faced by women in such dire circumstances.
