This Mother's Day, many moms will take a minute or two to reflect back on their early days as mothers.

That first year is usually filled with more emotional ups and downs than most women are prepared for.

A woman from Belfast has written a new book to help moms with their transformation to motherhood.

Amy Erickson has the story.

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When she was pregnant with her son Clayton, Amy Robbins-Wilson read every mothering book she could get her hands on.

They taught her how to change diapers and breastfeed...but when she gave birth, she realized a crucial piece of her education was missing.

"I wasn't prepared for the emotions of motherhood. I wasn't prepared for having down days when I thought 'oh, my word, this I my life now. What has happened to my life?'"

Robbins-Wilson knows she isn't the first mother to have those feelings.

So she's sharing her experiences to try and help other moms in their journeys through the beginnings of motherhood.

During those first tough months, Robbins-Wilson began writing affirmations to get her through the days...she's compiled them into a book, called "Transformational Mothering."

It's an open and honest look at some of the challenges facing most new moms...

"i sort of thought 'i'll have this baby and i'll be the mother I envisioned myself being and it'll be wonderful.' But it really took a while for us to find a rhythm for ourselves and also for me to figure out 'what's my identity now?'"

For Robbins-Wilson, what helped the most was using prayer to remind herself of just how sacred her new role was.

She shares those prayers in the book.

"once I could see that this was a spiritual path for me and that my baby was my teacher, that my baby was going to be teaching me all the things I needed to know to become a better person and a better mother."

Robbins-Wilson is hoping moms who read her book will be inspired to learn from...and with..their children...as she has with her own son.

"i have said to Clayton "clayton, Mommy was never a mommy until she had you, and so sometimes, Mommy doesn't do everything right. We're just doing the best we can." He understands that I'm on a journey, he's on a journey and we're learning together."

Amy Erickson, WABI TV5 News, Bangor.>

For more information, or to order a copy of the book, log on to www.transformationalmothering.com

Ten percent of all proceeds from the book will be donated to the Children's Miracle Network, which helps sick and injured children right here in our community.

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