A modern skill that is very lacking: telephone skills. I've forced my (text addicted teenage) kids to use the landline. As in, have to actually <gulp> talk to somebody. I always hated talking on the phone. Still do, unless its somebody in my comfort zone. But I can. And I'm determined my kids will too.
Bonus: Kid2 has discovered that it's more effective for building relationships, to talk on the phone rather than text. So sometimes, she will text to find out when it's "safe" to call (i.e. not likely to be eavesdropped by some sibling on either end of the phone, either on another landline line, or by listening through the door... we never did that, did we?)
