Macy’s First Phone
A guide for loving parents to teach self-regulation
Written by Anita McSweeney Illustrated by Lori Pensini
T his book is dedicated to Macy, Lulu and my mother Marion.
I would like to thank my dear friend Lori Pensini for her illustrations and Cathy Goldie for her suppor t and belief in my messag e for the world.
Text copyright © Anita McSweeney 2022
Illustrations copyright © Lori Pensini 2022
All rights reser ved
No par t of this publication may be re produced or transmitted in any for m or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any infor mation storag e and retrieval system, without per mission in writing from the author.
Publisher : Five Stars Publishing House
Unit 7/15 Walters drive Osbor ne Park, Wester n Australia 6017
National Librar y of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entr y
Author : Anita McSweeney
Title: Macy’s First Phone
Print ISBN: 978-1-922792-89-1
eBook ISBN: 978-1-922792-90-7
Macy wanted a phone more than anything in the world.
self-regulation and what’s most important in life - even more important than owning a phone!
Macy lived on the Sunset Drive in Wester n Australia. She loved looking out to the blue sk y over the ocean, the beautiful sunsets and the sparkling stars in the night sky. It was her favourite place on ear th.
Macy’s birthday was coming up and the only gift she wanted was her very own phone. Each night she went to bed and looked out to the stars, dreaming of that special little package she wanted more than anything else.
on phones, playing on phones and working on phones. It seemed she was the only person in the world who didn’t have one.
As the day of her birthday drew closer, Macy decided to start approaching her family, so they knew exactly what she wanted.
‘Aunty Kate, can I pleasssse have a phone for my birthday?’ she pleaded with her rather glamorous Aunt.
hurriedly sending a message. No luck there, so Macy headed out to the garden
‘Naaannnn,’ she said in her sweetest voice. ‘I realllllllly want a phone for my birthday. Please will you buy me one?’
could go halves and get you one for Christmas?’ suggested her Nan. Oh no, thought Macy, it was January and she couldn’t bear the thought of waiting another year.
The next day Macy considered asking her dad, but just knew he’d say no. The watching the football.
Macy knew her mum was probably the least likely to say yes to her request. or devices and how much simpler and happier life was back then.
knowing what was on Macy’s mind.
‘Mum, can I pleassssse have a phone for my birthday? I’ll do anything to get one.’
h e r lu ck, e ve n t ho ug h s h e k n ew t ha t a ‘ b ut’
c on diti on s.
‘You see Macy, I was almost twenty when I bought my first phone and I’d phone to distract me or make me want to buy what my friends had.
already experienced a lot in my childhood and teenag e years. I didn’t have a
‘Today a phone is so different. It has the power to chang e your thoughts and opinions and question your self-wor th. T his is a real concer n for me.
‘I know you see people constantly attached to their phones, but it’s not how
others. your phone can’t teach you,’ said her mum.
Macy listened closely. This all seemed too easy and a very small price to pay
knowing she was getting closer to her dream coming true.
T h ey a l l l ove d t hi s t im e t o g et h e r i n t h e e ve nin g, r e laxin g and s harin g w ha t
happ e n ed t ha t d ay.
Ma cy ’ s mu m al ways a s ked h e r gi rl s t o te ll h e r abo ut s ol ut ion s t h ey c r e a te d
T in li
Ma cy ’ s mu m wal ke d ove r t o t h e w ind ow and c all e d h e r da ug h te r s t o joi n h e r. She l oved tal k in g to them abo u t the ni g ht s k y. Sh e al s o l oved telling
them abo ut h e r g randpar e n ts i n t h e c o u n t r y w ho s h e v i s i te d e ve r y wee ken d
w h e n s h e wa s young . T h ey wo ul d all s i t to g et h e r a fte r a har d d ay ’ s
wor k on t h e f a r m and loo k u p t o t h e st ar s, c o u n t in g t h e s a te lli tes an d
wai t in g f or t ha t s p eci a l s hoo t in g st a r.
Cross,’ she said. ‘I’m going to give each star a name and you can think of
‘Their names will be:
next and peacefully closed her eyes.
‘I’m your Freedom,’ said the little star.
‘I’m here to teach you everything about the meaning of freedom in your life.
I am a wonderful feeling that you will learn to know and love throughout your whole life.
‘I give your heart and mind the space to know who you are and what makes are consumed by people and constant chatter or information.
‘You know that feeling at the beach when you run to the water without a care in the world? That’s your freedom. I create space in your life and self-belief to do what you love most.
‘Your freedom inspires you to go outdoors and explore in nature. I’ll bring you great happiness your whole life,’ said the Freedom star as it disappeared back to the night sky.
Macy loved the advice from the Freedom star. She had a full life with school, dance classes and basketball. On the weekends she loved the feeling of freedom.
Macy realised that freedom was something she could create herself and she didn’t need anyone else to make that feeling come alive.
As she drifted off to slee p, Macy thought about racing her friends on her bike and how much she loved the feeling of the wind through her hair.
joined her and settled in at the end of her bed.
‘Tonight, you’re going to meet a star called Innovation,’ said her mum.
A sparkling little star bounced out of the night sky. ‘I’m Innovation, Macy, beautiful stories and design dance routines with your friends.
‘It’s important for you to know that your new phone can be as tempting as your favourite chocolate. Even though you may want it all the time, too much
behind the coffee in the cupboard.
Macy drifted off to sleep dreaming about making chocolate for her family in the shape of a star.
On the third night Macy jumped into bed, ready for the stor y to star t.
‘I’m Values,’ said the bright little star smiling from the night sk y.
‘You lear n your values from role models in your life who teach you what’s right and what’s wrong. If you spend too much time on your phone, strang ers can influence you and tr y to chang e who you are. You must be strong and believe in yourself,’ said the war m, caring voice.
As the little star retur ned to the night sk y, Macy thought about her own values, helping in the community and how much she loved kindness in the world.
On the fourth night Macy’s mum found her and Coco by the window, watching the summer storm brewing on the horizon.
It was so peaceful gazing out to the night sky and Macy loved relaxing this way at the end of her day.
As the wind blew stronger, her mum began her story once more. ‘Tonight, we’re energy and movement to make that happen.’
A bright little star full of colourful fireworks jumped out of the night sky.
‘I’m Energ y,’ said the shimmering little star jumping to life.
‘I help you feel joy and happiness by choosing how you spend your time and who you spend it with. Each day you must make time to exercise, eat g ood food and be with g ood people. T his will give you g reat energ y for life.
‘Can you feel my g ood energ y, colour and sparkle? My mum always told me that “haters never sparkle” and it’s tr ue. Great energ y attracts the same. You know the feeling as soon as you meet someone and you can see it in their body and soul. T hey are war m, loving and ready to share some g oodness in the world,’ said the little star.
‘ Yo u r phon e c an a ctu a l l y deplete yo u r e n e r g y l e ve l s. I f yo u con st an t l y
f oll ow o t h e r p e opl e ’ s l ives and i de a s f or e n te r t ainm e n t, yo u r prod uct ivi t y
l e ve l s can be reduced.
‘ Crea t in g g ood e ner g y i s a sk ill and ta ke s di s ciplin e. We need yo u r g oo d
e n e r g y in t h e world !’ s ai d t h e li tt l e s tar a s i t bo u n ce d ba ck t o t h e ni g h t s k y.
A s Ma cy dri fte d o f f t o s l e e p, s h e t ho ug h t abo ut c r e a t in g h e r ow n g oo d
e n e r g y and h av in g fu n a t t h e b e a ch w i t h Lu l u .
had told her that this star was the most important of them all and to listen carefully to what it had to say.
As she settled into bed, Macy felt a small twinge of sadness that the story was going to end. Macy loved routine, especially a new story that was all about her
As she watched her mum being talked into piggybacking Lulu off to bed, Macy wondered where she got all her energy from and peacefully closed her
‘I’m Self-Regulation, Macy. It’s so nice to meet you. I’ll teach you how to
The final little star seemed to shine brighter than the rest. manag e your phone using a simple, daily routine.’ taking over your life.
‘It’s so easy to reach for your phone all day. T his happens to people all the time and is really unhealthy for your mind because it never g ets to rest. Your mind needs plenty of time to switch off during the day and in between your hool, spor t, hobbies and life.
‘Self-regulation is the key to planning your time, including when to use your phone, so your mind stays happy and healthy.’
T he little star blew Macy a kiss and retur ned to the night sk y to join the other stars and complete the five star formation of the Southern Cross.
Macy looked out the window to a sky full of twinkling stars.
As the sun rose the next mor ning, Macy found that special little packag e she’d been dreaming about for so long.
She also found a small hand-made jour nal, that looked like her mum ’ s work. Inside was full of daily plans to manag e her time and her phone.
As Macy looked down at the little black screen, she knew it reminded her their special Rule of FIVES for life.
She realised all she had to do each night was switch off her phone and use the stars to plan her next day.
And from that day onwards she did just that and her mum loved to join her. It was so simple and a new routine that they both really looked forward to outdoors, looking up to the sky full of stars where everyone in the world could join them and do the same.
One of Macy’s journal entries is included, as well as blank cop for you to use.
Love Macy and her mum xx
6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm What can I achieve tomorrow using the 5 S tar s?
My Daily Plan 6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm
Date: ___ /___ /
My Daily Plan 6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm
Date: ___ /___ /
My Daily Plan 6am 7am 8am 9am 10am 11am 12am 1pm 2pm 3pm 4pm 5pm 6pm 7pm 8pm
Date: ___ /___ /
A Note from the Author Mum and Management Consultant, Anita McSweeney
I wrote Macy’s First Phone as a guide for parents and educators to help teach the art of selfregulation through pre-planning of phone use.
Overuse and reliance on phones is the greatest threat to a carefree childhood and teenage support from family, trusted friends and role models in our community.
As parents and loving grandparents, we must reset our own behaviours when using phones and talk openly about the addictive nature of all devices. This starts at home by taking the phones all the time. It’s just become socially acceptable and encouraged, even though our youth suffer immeasurably as a result.
The simplest way forward is through education and this education must start at home.
measured behaviours when using a phone. Macy’s First Phone and the plan included can help start this journey.
for inspiration, instead of down at screens. It’s so important to help our next generation in this area and it’s never too late to start.
