I have been coaching children since 2002. In all seriousness, I can’t believe that 20 years have passed.

A joyful aspect of that 20 years is seeing kids that I knew early on. They are now in their 20’s and early 30’s. Some of them I run into when I am out and about, and some I see their moms’ posts on social media. I stay friendly with so many of the mothers that I have had the pleasure to know over the years.

One of my kids I recently ran into is an assistant retail store manager and we had a delightful conversation. Another one who experienced severe social anxiety greeted me with a huge smile at Market Basket and told me how much he loves his job.

Another is an award-winning figure skater, and one just completed hiking the Appalachian Trail. There are college graduates, black belts, entrepreneurs, and artists among the kids that have graced my life.

All of these kids struggled. And because they had parents that never gave up, and they themselves never gave up, have done just fine.

Granted, outcomes are never guaranteed, and some of us are still cheering on the progress of our young adult children or moving in the direction of acceptance that extra support will be a lifetime need. And even then, it will work out the way it is meant to.

Yes, the struggle is real for our kids. But, we have to remember, so is their success, and in almost every instance over 20 years, they have found their way to it.