Maybe it was an Iguana

How to Make E.T. Feel Right at Home in Your Home: A Guide By Carolena
Part One: Goodwill

First, when you spot E.T. sticking out headfirst from the top of the toy rack in Goodwill, stand up, lunge for him, try to reach him, and by all means, cheer "yay!" as you are doing this - it will let E.T. know you are trying to grab him because you love him and not for evil purposes. Perhaps he will reach out to you if he knows you have good intentions. If the stupid shopping cart your mother shoved you in is too restrictive (why does she always insists on those things!?!?) and you are unable to reach him, start frantically pointing and jumping up and down. Try to climb out of the cart. Yell loudly at your mother, even if she is mere inches away, "AHH!! THERE'S ET I MUST HOLD HIM AND LOVE HIM RIGHT NOW!!!!" Never stop grabbing for and/or pointing at E.T. during all of this lest there be any confusion. Your mother will probably give you a dumb look and say something like, "what? you want E.T?" To which you should smile, start frantically nodding, and say, "yeah. yeah. yeah!" over and over. If you are unfortunate enough that your mother does not hand you E.T. and begins to walk away, start back over at phase one and try to grab him yourself.

*Fortunately Carolena's mommy loves E.T. and was thrilled at this new development. Score!

Next, hold E.T. tightly. This step is very important. He will be scared from his recent trip from his original home to Goodwill. He may have ridden in the shopping cart with other kids and then dumped unceremoniously back on the shelf. It is your job to make sure both E.T. and your mother know you will not be leaving the store without him. Hold him tightly in a bear hug. Every once in a while hold him at arm's length so that you can gaze lovingly into his beautiful E.T. face. Perhaps even let him sit in the cart while you hold his hand for a moment, but don't let that last too long - he will really prefer to be hugged. Maintain this hugging session for as long as possible. At a minimum you will need to hold him tightly throughout the rest of the store and through the checkout lane. Word of warning: at the checkout they will try to take him from you. You must resist. The grownups will insist they will give him back but we've all heard that before. Continue to hug E.T. as you walk to the car even if he impedes your journey. Be patient as you walk with him, he is more than half your size you know. Hold E.T. as your mother straps you into your car seat. Hold E.T. as you drive home. Whatever you do: don't let anyone else hold him until he is safely in your home.

The important thing in this first phase of making E.T. feel right at home in your home is to make the meeting and transition one that is comfortable for E.T. Make him feel loved from first sight. Make him feel safe in your arms even if they barely reach around him. Let him know he will be loved and adored rather than shoved in a closet somewhere as he so clearly had been wherever he'd lived these past 30 years. Finally, be sure your mother always brings a snack for you when you go thrift shopping. You'll need your energy up. You never know when you might meet an E.T.

Join us for next time for instructions on activities E.T. enjoys, suggestions of outfits he likes to wear, and his sleeping habits in How to Make E.T. Feel Right at Home in Your Home: A Guide By Carolena Part Two: Home.