Usually, you talk to them, and take in slot 1 or 2.
Yeah, it deposited me on the top floor of the dungeon even when I went back down through the entire dungeon it just put me back at the top when I exited the circle room. I'll give a try to dying in the dungeon a go and see if that works.
Also, the volume settings reset to default whenever I leave the game and come back, but that's separate.
Update: Yes, it got me back to the house. I also found that the side room of the basement is where the storage is - it's not terribly clear that's where we're supposed to go if we've been away for a little bit (especially with the mom telling us to gtfo from her house on every interaction)