I have a hard time socialising over the phone with pretty much anybody. The phone for me is more of a business tool than social. I have what you might call a phone anxiety. With some people this is significantly worse than with others.

How close are you to your father's residence? If you are say within an hour's drive is it possible to do your conversing with him in person? The phonecalls between my father and I are totally useless. Instead I will make a 2 1/2hr drive to see him and others every 3 or 4 weeks.