Can you afford the monetary expense of a child for the next 18 years? Who will take care of the child when you are not able to do so because of illness, PTSD days, long working hours or when you want to be alone? If you love children, volunteer at a homeless shelter or daycare or a public school so that you can see how well you discipline, handle stress, deal with other people's kids. That will also give you a chance to talk to other single moms about their quality of life.

This is a very big decision. You are making a decision for another person (your kid) so think carefully. You have another 12-15 years to have a baby. Take time to think about all this, and use protection.