Cat Moms can be very protective of their kittens. And loving too. They love to take their kittens out for walk.
Mother cats will take their kittens out and teach them essential life skills. How to stalk, hunt, ambush, how to protect yourself, how to find food, hiding places etc.
Kittens are also acute observers are fast learners. hanging around with the mothers make them quickly learn the skills to survive in the tough outside world.