cheminer son petit bonhomme de chemin

16:28 Mar 23, 2017 

(Sorry - this is too long for the comment box under your answer) Your suggestion reads as if someone (the father?) talks about what he managed to achieve with his kids ('I/we put them on the right path'). When I read the question, I'm under the impression that the father is saying something like: they did this, they did that, etc. they were happy doing their own thing, following their imagination, in a carefree manner. Under bonhomme de chemin, R+C suggests 'to carry on in their own sweet way'. Would this work here? Oops - just reread Roberta's comments and realized she's not keen on 'sweet' etc. Still I think it's not really about what the father thinks he has achieved, but more about the way they got on with their lives - even at a young age. 'Get on with their lives' - could this work here?

13:30 Mar 23, 2017 

It does help, but that's really the part I am having trouble with - adapting it to this context. I'll keep working on it. Thank you!

07:59 Mar 23, 2017 

You don't have to remain so absolutely set on one single solution for a particular expression. If back to the French meaning and find other slants on the possible readings, in French, then that usuaully helps open up new ideas in English too. Here's a suggestion: https://fr.wiktionary.org/wiki/aller_son_petit_bonhomme_de_c...
(Familier) Avancer doucement mais sûrement, sans se détourner de son projet.
It means the same but gets one off the idea of "merry/sweet way" as the only way round this. It immediately suggests to me "progressed slowly but surely". Amounts to the same thing, but a different slant and probably works in your context. Does this help?