Re: How's your handwriting?
Mine used to be lovely; italic and fountain-pen written. However as with most people it's degenerated to an unintelligible scrawl as a result of keyboards. I still, however always handwrite the Dear . . . . on a typewritten letter, makes it somehow more personal I feel.
Dominik (my 6-year old for those who don't know), has been taught the cursive style of writing from day one. At his school they teach phonics and 'joined up' writing from the outset. It's a little trickier for the little ones to learn but they don't then have to unlearn it at a later date!