I wasn't sure where to post this but wondering if others may have advice on how to handle a tricky situation with a close friend.
One of my close friends is single, she's 38 and as long as I have known her (10 years) has always been single except for a fling lasting about 4 months in the early days that I knew her. When we met I was also single, I'm a few years years younger. We spent a lot of time going out / shopping / hanging out looking for a boyfriend (being truthful!) I met my DH 8 years ago, we now have 2 DCs aged 4 & 2. We are happy, we live in a different city to my friend (nowadays).
Of late almost all of friend's (let's call her Sophie) single friends have married and most now have children (or are trying to!) she is depressed by this because she is looking less likely to have them which I can understand. She makes the most of her single life and is really active and enjoys life in lots of ways but she has never managed to find a partner (short or long term). I don't really know why. She is attractive and clever with a good job but perhaps is searching for perfection or perhaps is far too intense when she meets someone she likes. In the past I have felt really really sorry for her at times (I still do) as I know she is starting to think she will never have kids and will be lonely etc but lately I have found her becoming bitter towards me and others, she's made a couple of snide comments about 'all her friends being no fun anymore' and tbh it's a bit hurtful. I have two young children and I work full time plus I live in a different city, I find it hard to see her as much as I used to and I am guessing her other close friends face similar challenges.
Lately she has made some very bad delicious involving a guy, she has called me frequently during the last few months to ask advice on what to me seems a pointless and hopeless situation (basically he's 'just not that into her') and I have advised her several times I think she would be wise to move on / look elsewhere. She hasn't done that and has now been quite badly hurt by him.
As a friend I feel I should always try to support her and offer a shoulder (which I will) but quite frankly I feel she's been foolish and I am starting to think that she only wants me as a friend to be there for when she is unhappy about a guy. I feel as if my life (family life!) is of no interest and is boring to her and I am wondering if anyone has any advice on how they have tried to handle this sort of thing with a friend in the past. I want to be a kind and supportive friend to her but I am frequently feeling like she's making silly choices and decisions but I don't dare keep telling her because she doesn't seem to take it on board.
Should I try and discuss this with her or just accept that she may keep making what I believe are stupid decisions (she would agree they are too!) and just be a shoulder to cry on each time...?