When we were first
trying to get our alters to behave cooperatively, we found that using a
system contract was extremely effective. This is really two contracts.
The first is simply that the System recognizes and respects the alter and
the alter's rights to be heard and to have body time. The second,
and far more complicated, is that the alter agrees to recognize and respect
the rights of the System and the body. The incentive for an alter
to agree to the terms of the contract is body time. If the alters
will not agree, body time will not be set aside for them. Here is
the current version of our System Contract.
There are a few rules you need to know about:
1 The System has an agreement with (our therapist) and (a friend) that no one will do anything to hurt the body before talking to one of them first. This applies to everybody, even you.
2 The body must be fed in order for us to survive. You can eat one small bowl of ice cream AFTER you eat something good for the body. Good food is stuff like chicken, cheese, crackers, bread, veggies, and fruit. Even stuff like pizza is all right if you are too tired to cook. Eating too much ice cream, or cookies, or brownies, or candy will mean that we don't get to have these things as often, so please follow the rule so that everybody can get to enjoy them.
3 Most of the food in the house is easy to fix. Some of it doesn't even need to be heated. Some can be heated in the microwave oven or in the conventional oven. There are easy to fix rice dishes in the cabinet over the microwave. If you are a little, please don't cook unless a big is with you or unless Carolyn or Faye has shown you how to cook and said that it is OK for you to cook by yourself. If you can't cook, or you are not supposed to cook, and you are hungry, ask for a big to come out and cook something for you to eat.
4 We have to take medicine regularly. Ask for a big to come help you take it. They will know what to take. Do not take any pills by yourself.
5 They are toys and stuffies in the big bedroom. Have as much fun with them as you wish, but please put them back in the basket for everyone else to enjoy, and so they will not get lost or broken. We all share our toys because no one wants to take away something that someone else would miss.
6 Unless you know how to use the computer equipment, please leave it alone. We have some games that littles can play, but please wait for a big to show you how to use them.
7 There is a smoke detector in the house. If there is a fire, it will make a loud, high pitched noise. If that happens, go outside right then and wait for someone to help you. You might want to go next door, and knock on the neighbor's door, and ask for help.
8 Please be careful with the stove in the kitchen and with matches and candles. If you are a little, you should not use any of these things by yourself. We want to keep our house nice and safe for everyone.
9 Always keep the doors locked. Don't let anyone in unless you know them or they know you or the body name and you think they are safe.
10 The body takes care of us all. It must be fed good food, and kept warm and clean, and get enough sleep. When you have time in the body, please respect it, for it is home for many. If you do not take good care of the body, you will not be allowed to have time in it. Body time is a privilege, not a right.
11
This notebook is a place for us to write whatever we wish. Good stuff,
bad stuff, scary stuff, funny stuff, drawings, whatever. If you want
to draw or write notes to others, that is fine. If you have questions,
write them in the book, or ask a big to come out and help you.
EMAIL.
Original music composed by Tom Williams III,
Copyright © 1996-98 Dreamsharer Music,
Ltd.
Used With Permission of the Composer.
