What is fronting and switching?
Fronting and switching generally go hand in hand. Switching is when one person literally switches places with someone, and takes control of the front, in which they will then be fronting (being in control of the body).
What is your personal definition of fronting and switching?
To fit our system's circumstances, our personal definitions of 'fronting' and 'switching' are slightly different than the one stated above. 'Fronting' to us is when there is someone in the fronting wing of our headspace, but is not fully in control of the body. They may control certain parts or areas of the body, but not all of it. The Core/Host's consciousness and thoughts are always present.
'Switching', for us, is when the Core/Host's consciousness leaves the front completely, and allows a different headmate's consciousness take complete control of the mind and physical body.
Do you all 'front' or 'switch'?
By our personal definitions of those terms, we are all able to front, save for the children younger than 10 years of age. However, we have only fully switched a few times. Switching is very difficult, and we do not know the reason as to why.
Can you control who fronts or switches?
From the knowledge we've gained in our time together, we can control who fronts when a large majority of the time. However, sometimes there are certain things that lightly trigger others to come to the front. (Ex: Jouko is triggered by math...why? Who knows. But it comes in handy during math class!)
We can't control who switches, as far as we know. The first time someone switched it was caused by a strong, negative trigger. The second time, we were not able to identify the cause of the switch.
Is anyone obligated to front?
Absolutely not. Nobody has to front, if they don't want to, or if they aren't feeling well, etc. However, if they have taken up a responsibility willingly, such as taking a certain class, then it would be appreciated to live up to their responsibility of fronting during that class. But, as stated before, if they are not feeling well or have some other emergency to tend to, then someone else will take over for them.
Do you have schedules for fronting?
During the school year from Monday-Friday, yes - The Core/Host is still in highschool. Not everyone fronts during this time; only those who wished to take certain classes. Any days that we have off, or during the weekend, there is no schedule, and we like to do things on a whim.
Does anyone front more than someone else?
Most definitely! Excluding Anna (Our Core/Host, who is constantly fronting), our main fronters change often. Usually between Michael, Jouko, Yimsy, and -most recently- Kraven. However, we have people who rarely front, like Rafaiel and Viicacia, and people who have never fronted, like Burton and the children (Zanszu and Lestat).
Also, depending on what week it is and who is taking what class, our main fronters change then, as well.
Is it rude to ask who is fronting?
Absolutely not. Never think it's rude to ask! If we are talking to you over some form of text and we do not sign a name, please ask! We don't want people to be confused about who they are speaking to. If we are talking to you in person and you are unsure of who is at the front, it won't offend us in any way if you ask us who is fronting. In fact, we will be more than happy to answer you!
Can people tell everyone apart? (Do people know you are multiple?)
If they can, then we aren't aware of it. Since Anna is constantly fronting and we are unable to fully switch at will, it is easy to 'mask' ourselves. However, there have been a few incidents where Jouko or Kraven's accent(s) have shown through, and people have asked "Why are you talking like that?" and we hadn't even noticed the change.
Fronting and switching generally go hand in hand. Switching is when one person literally switches places with someone, and takes control of the front, in which they will then be fronting (being in control of the body).
What is your personal definition of fronting and switching?
To fit our system's circumstances, our personal definitions of 'fronting' and 'switching' are slightly different than the one stated above. 'Fronting' to us is when there is someone in the fronting wing of our headspace, but is not fully in control of the body. They may control certain parts or areas of the body, but not all of it. The Core/Host's consciousness and thoughts are always present.
'Switching', for us, is when the Core/Host's consciousness leaves the front completely, and allows a different headmate's consciousness take complete control of the mind and physical body.
Do you all 'front' or 'switch'?
By our personal definitions of those terms, we are all able to front, save for the children younger than 10 years of age. However, we have only fully switched a few times. Switching is very difficult, and we do not know the reason as to why.
Can you control who fronts or switches?
From the knowledge we've gained in our time together, we can control who fronts when a large majority of the time. However, sometimes there are certain things that lightly trigger others to come to the front. (Ex: Jouko is triggered by math...why? Who knows. But it comes in handy during math class!)
We can't control who switches, as far as we know. The first time someone switched it was caused by a strong, negative trigger. The second time, we were not able to identify the cause of the switch.
Is anyone obligated to front?
Absolutely not. Nobody has to front, if they don't want to, or if they aren't feeling well, etc. However, if they have taken up a responsibility willingly, such as taking a certain class, then it would be appreciated to live up to their responsibility of fronting during that class. But, as stated before, if they are not feeling well or have some other emergency to tend to, then someone else will take over for them.
Do you have schedules for fronting?
During the school year from Monday-Friday, yes - The Core/Host is still in highschool. Not everyone fronts during this time; only those who wished to take certain classes. Any days that we have off, or during the weekend, there is no schedule, and we like to do things on a whim.
Does anyone front more than someone else?
Most definitely! Excluding Anna (Our Core/Host, who is constantly fronting), our main fronters change often. Usually between Michael, Jouko, Yimsy, and -most recently- Kraven. However, we have people who rarely front, like Rafaiel and Viicacia, and people who have never fronted, like Burton and the children (Zanszu and Lestat).
Also, depending on what week it is and who is taking what class, our main fronters change then, as well.
Is it rude to ask who is fronting?
Absolutely not. Never think it's rude to ask! If we are talking to you over some form of text and we do not sign a name, please ask! We don't want people to be confused about who they are speaking to. If we are talking to you in person and you are unsure of who is at the front, it won't offend us in any way if you ask us who is fronting. In fact, we will be more than happy to answer you!
Can people tell everyone apart? (Do people know you are multiple?)
If they can, then we aren't aware of it. Since Anna is constantly fronting and we are unable to fully switch at will, it is easy to 'mask' ourselves. However, there have been a few incidents where Jouko or Kraven's accent(s) have shown through, and people have asked "Why are you talking like that?" and we hadn't even noticed the change.