When raising my newborn in New York City became too difficult, I took an extended parental leave and moved to Berlin

The author moved abroad shortly after her baby was born.

Courtesy of Danielle Elliot

I've attempted to move abroad several times, even acquiring visas, but I always ended up back in New York.When I decided to have a baby on my own, I put that dream aside. I figured that if I couldn't do it as a single 30-something, it didn't seem feasible as a single mom.So, I was as surprised as anyone when, three months after having my daughter, I booked a flight to Berlin — and haven't returned.Making a planThe first month of my daughter's life was a blur. I was exhausted and happy; having her felt like a new lease on life. I couldn't imagine going back to work anytime soon. I didn't really have work to go back to anyway; I'm a freelancer, and didn't have anything new lined up.Still, I received 12 weeks of paid family leave and planned to look for work when that ended.Then, a friend helped me land a teaching job. That was in October; the job would start the next September. I decided I'd take care of my daughter full time until her first birthday in August, living off savings, and then I'd start teaching.Changing the planI loved my plan, but there were things I hadn't considered. First, being a full-time mom in Brooklyn, where few people are full-time parents, is isolating. I realized this when my fellow new moms went back to work.