Few jobs are as demanding as raising a litter of kittens. The newborns arrive blind, deaf and completely helpless, and for the first couple of weeks their mother is their whole world: heater, food supply, bodyguard and personal groomer all at once. She washes them, carries them to a safer spot at the first hint of danger, and later teaches them everything from climbing to pouncing, usually while getting very little sleep herself.

Somewhere between the feedings and the chaos, though, come moments of pure tenderness, and the Facebook page Cute Kittens & Cats has a knack for capturing them. We’ve gathered some of its sweetest photos, showing mama cats curled around sleepy newborns, cleaning tiny faces with saintly patience, and keeping a watchful eye on youngsters just beginning to explore the world beyond the nest.

Scroll down to meet these furry families, and tell us which photo made you smile first.

More info: Facebook