Meet Karla & Kai
- mamabeartigerteacher
- May 31
- 4 min read
The Power of Perspective: A Boy Mom Conversation with Karla and Kai
On this episode of The Boy Mom Podcast, I welcome two incredible guests—Karla Larson and her son, Kaison, known to us that love him and his mom as Kai—who offer listeners a heartfelt, honest look into the journey of parenting, growth, and the transformative power of sports and faith. What unfolds is a touching and deeply relatable conversation between a devoted mother and her college-aged son, full of wisdom, reflection, and candid moments.
Meet Karla and Kai
Karla Larson introduces herself as a seasoned professional in logistics, working with Honda in Marysville, Ohio. Born in California and raised between New Jersey and Florida, Karla eventually settled in Columbus, Ohio with her family. But beyond her resume, Karla’s real life work is her role as a mom—particularly to her son Kai, a student-athlete at Hope College in Michigan.
Kai is in his third year at Hope College, balancing the demands of sports/sports management, academics, and a growing awareness of who he is becoming. His calm presence and thoughtful reflections speak volumes about the relationship he has with his mom and the maturity he's cultivated through experience.
Navigating the Teenage Years with Faith and Intentionality
Without meaning to, the heart of the episode emerges while we are exploring what the teenage years are like—not just for kids, but for the parents who love them. Karla shares openly about the struggle of letting go while staying connected, trusting God with her son’s future, and learning to be patient as her child grows into himself.
She recalls the tension between control and trust, especially when Kai began to make choices independently, some of which didn’t always align with her expectations. “There was a point I had to step back and really let God take over,” she says. This surrender, she explains, is not passive. It’s active trust—something that reshapes how she parents and how she prays.
Kai, in turn, acknowledges that he didn’t always understand his mom’s concern at the time, but he now appreciates the love behind it. “There were times when I was frustrated, but looking back, I realize she was just trying to protect me and guide me,” he reflects. His maturity and humility are a testament to the seeds Karla has sown over the years.
The Role of Sports in Shaping Character
Both Karla and Kai speak passionately about how sports--especially karate/tae kwon do and lacrosse- has played a crucial role in shaping Kai’s identity. For Kai, the sport is not just a game; it’s a vehicle for leadership, accountability, and spiritual growth. “Sports gives me a sense of structure,” he says. “It’s not just about what happens on the field—it’s about who you become off the field.”
Karla echoes this sentiment, sharing that sports gave Kai not just discipline, but purpose. She recounts moments when she saw him struggle and persevere, and how those moments built resilience. At the same time, she was learning her own lessons—like how to let her son fail so he could learn to stand.
From Control to Connection
One of the most powerful themes of the conversation is the shift from control to connection. Karla describes a pivotal moment when she realized that trying to manage every outcome was not sustainable—or healthy. “I had to stop being the fixer,” she admits. “I had to learn how to just be present.”
This shift changed their relationship. Instead of lectures, Karla began asking more questions. Instead of assuming, she started listening more. And Kai noticed. “When my mom started giving me space, I felt like she really trusted me,” he says. That trust became a foundation for their relationship to grow and evolve.
Advice for Other Moms
I asked Karla to share advice with other boy moms who may be struggling through similar seasons. Her words are filled with both empathy and encouragement: “Pray without ceasing. Love without conditions. And remember that your son is God’s child before he is yours.”
She also encourages mothers to be open to change. “Your son is going to change—and you should, too. Be willing to adapt, to listen, and to meet him where he is.” Kai adds his own insight from the perspective of a son: “Let your boys feel what they feel. Sometimes we don’t need solutions—we just need your presence.”
A Journey Still Unfolding
As the episode draws to a close, I highlight how inspiring it is to see a mom and son so deeply in tune with one another, despite the natural ups and downs of the journey. Karla and Kai’s story is one of growth—not just for a young man finding his way in the world, but for a mother discovering new depths of faith, grace, and love.
Their conversation reminds us all that parenting is a long game, filled with unexpected turns and moments of profound beauty. And through it all, love—rooted in faith and nurtured by trust—remains the constant that holds everything together.
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