Is six months too soon for a proposal? This is my first relationship in which my girlfriend isn’t fooling around with other guys or trying to control the relationship.

- Simple Question

It’s too soon for YOU, though that time frame may work for some others. The reason is that your point of comparison is previous bad relationships.
Of course, it’s fine that your girl is faithful and not a control freak, but those are normal behaviours that you should come to expect from any partner you’d choose.
Take time to find the qualities that make you love her, even if she has some flaws (we all do). Develop ways to talk to each other even when things aren’t perfect, since every relationship has periods of tension and disagreements. And periodically discuss the relationship and how it’s going with her, so you can repair and snags along the way.
It’s NOT too soon to tell her you love her and that you hope this will work out for the long-term.

For three years, this guy and I hung out daily while hiking with our dogs, and occasionally had dinner together. He’d email every day; nothing physical happened beyond hugs.
I was in love with him but it wasn’t reciprocated. (I told him). I asked for a break so I could figure out whether I could be “just friends.”
After several months I wanted his friendship rather than nothing. We hung out daily again - I was unemployed. When I found a full-time job, he started hiking without me. So now we’re down to an occasional weekend day.
I eventually confronted him about the lesser contact and emails and he responded that I’d been “negative and argumentative lately.” He later admitted his reaction stemmed from family problems, and apologized. But he still acted distant.
I emailed that I didn’t think I could be friends with him anymore. He said he still wants to be friends, but he’s really busy getting his new business going.
He’s made an effort to still see me once a week, yet much of his behaviour has changed. I used to believe we’d be friends for life, and I’m not ready to give up yet.

- Am I Crazy?

You’re not crazy, but you are too demanding. Back off, as it’s clear that YOU are the one who can’t be truly satisfied as “just friends.”
You’ve scared him with your deeper feelings, then smothered him with your neediness. He appears to still consider you a friend, but his life – yours, too – is busier than in the past, and he has other demands on his time. Yet his every missed email causes you to wonder and worry.
Even the closest of friends have periods when they can’t communicate daily and weekly get-togethers would be a luxury for many. Increase your network of friends and rely less on this guy. It may be the only way to save this friendship.

My son and his wife are carrying a big mortgage, a car loan, credit card charges, etc. He’s doing okay at work but she insists on staying home with their three pre-schoolers, instead of working in her field. Shouldn’t she be easing their financial burden?

- Disturbed

If you’re not being asked to pay their bills, you don’t have a say in their financial decisions. In just a few years, the kids will be in school and Mom can work if she chooses, especially since she has qualifications.
Meanwhile, they need family encouragement, not judgment.

Why do I fight with my mom all day? She demoralizes my siblings and I; I’ve had psychological problems because of the way she acts. Yet I get mad when someone else says something bad about her.

- Confused

You defend Mom because she’s who bore you, cared for you, raised you and still worries about you. But your natural desire for more independence comes in conflict with her fears for your safety and well-being. That’s normal in most families, and part of the give and take of trying to separate from parents’ total control.
It’s not an easy transition for either you or Mom. If she’s truly “demoralizing” you, she likely has her own insecurities, and uses criticism to try to stay in charge. If it becomes intolerable, try to get another respected adult on side –your father, or another relative. And, with greater understanding, try to get along more often.