Drew Barrymore Posts Touching Tribute to Mom in Honor of Book Release

"We have had quite a road," the actress-turned-author writes on Instagram

Photo: Courtesy Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore posted a sweet throwback photo of her and her mother, Jaid, on Instagram on Tuesday, the release date of her book Wildflower.

“Today I wrote a book,” the actress captioned the photo. “And as I thank and celebrate many women this week, I must say a huge thank you to my mother. As I say in the acknowledgements, ‘thank you for my life. I am ever so pleased to be here!’ ”

She continues, “We have had quite a road, but it is paved with gratitude. #amazingwomenweek #wildflowerbook”

Barrymore, now 40, became an emancipated minor by the age of 15 and has been open about her less-than-perfect relationship with her parents. But perhaps becoming a mother herself – to Olive, 3, and Frankie, 18 months – has softened Barrymore’s previous perceptions of her own mom. She recently told PEOPLE that she wrote her book with her daughters in mind.

“It really is for them. When I first started having children, people were like, ‘Well, what are you going to tell them about [your upbringing]?’ ” Barrymore said. “And there was always a connotation and insinuation of, ‘You should be ashamed.’ But that’s crazy. [My daughters] are going to know I’m not some holier-than-thou person who doesn’t want them to live. I just want to guide them in the best way possible.”

VIDEO: How Drew Barrymore Survived a Traumatic Childhood and Finally Found Happiness with Her Husband and Daughters

The Miss You Already actress also tells PEOPLE that motherhood has become the No. 1 priority in her life with husband Will Kopelman.

“I know everyone says you’re supposed to put your coupledom first. But I really love it being all about the kids,” she shares. “Maybe that’s my compensating for not having parents myself or a childhood, but right now, the focus is about how we’re figuring things out as parents.”