‘It’s the little things’: Israeli mother juggles war, parenthood as her husband serves

In the midst of ongoing conflict, the personal stories of resilience and struggle emerge, offering a poignant glimpse into the lives of those left behind. This article, part of an ongoing series exploring the experiences of Israeli soldiers' wives, focuses on Shiri, a mother of three who is shouldering the immense burden of war and parenthood single-handedly. Her husband, identified only as Z., was called up for reserve duty on October 7, leaving Shiri to manage their household and young children alone, a reality she describes as "unimaginable."

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it is the little things

Shiri's narrative is one of profound isolation and the daily battle to maintain normalcy. Pregnant with their second child at the time of mobilization, she faced the daunting task of caring for a toddler and an infant while her husband was on the front lines. The lack of a "mamad" (safe room) at their home in Zichron Ya'acov meant relocating to her parents' home in Caesarea, further compounding her sense of displacement. She recounts the deep loneliness of this period, missing the basic community support, such as meal trains and help with errands, that other reservist families received.

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Being pregnant and having a toddler at home just felt very lonely, and it was tough. I didn’t have much of a community at that point.

Her experience underscores the often-overlooked emotional and practical toll that prolonged military service takes on families. The uncertainty of her husband's return, the duration of the war, and the constant fear for his safety weigh heavily on Shiri. Her young daughter, Mikaylah, sensing her mother's distress and her father's absence, regressed emotionally, highlighting the impact on the children. While care packages from friends abroad offered some solace, the day-to-day reality remained that of a "single parent" managing every aspect of family life. This story, deeply personal yet universally resonant, speaks to the quiet strength of Israeli women navigating extraordinary circumstances, a perspective often lost in broader international coverage of the conflict.

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single parent