In her article, Mari-Vivian Ellam, a mother of five in Estonia, shares her personal experience and the societal views surrounding stay-at-home mothers. Despite feeling fulfilled and happy in her role, she encounters disapproving glances which suggest that she embodies a hope for the country's declining birth rate. This puts her in a peculiar position where her identity and contributions seem to be both valued and criticized simultaneously.

Ellam highlights the contradiction in societal perceptions, feeling that in various statistics, feminist rhetoric, and legislation, stay-at-home mothers like herself are often rendered invisible or even regarded as detrimental to society. This commentary reflects broader issues in Estonia regarding gender roles, family structures, and how motherhood is viewed within the scope of national identity and population concerns.

The implications of her observations open up discussions on how society values different family models and the support systems in place for mothers. By emphasizing her role, Ellam prompts a reconsideration of the narratives surrounding motherhood, nurturing, and the essential contributions mothers make to society and the future generation, especially in a country facing demographic challenges.