I have been feeding a semi feral cat in my backyard since May, & just over 2 weeks ago found out she was a mother with 3 kittens. She started bringing the kittens with her to get food. It was beautiful watching the little family together, eating, playing & relaxing in my yard. Then last Friday she came with only one kitten. 2 days later they had still not returned, although the mother continued to call for them. After crying my eyes out for the lost kittens, my husband & I decided to take the third kitten before it was lost or hurt. We lured the mother & baby into our pool cage. The Mom got out, but we now have the baby in our house. I sent the kitten pic to local animal rescue & they estimate the kitten to be about 8 weeks old. The Mom is now still calling for her babies in my yard all the time. This is the 3rd day the baby is with us. We would gladly take in the Mom in as well but she is a little too wild & will not be contained. Last night, the baby was crying inside the house & the Mom heard it from outside & was calling desparately for her baby. It was gut wrenching. We tried to let them see each other last night in the screened-in lanai but as soon as we shut the door the Mom went crazy, thrashing around & throwing herself against the bars & screen. We were afraid she would get hurt & let her out immediately. I feel awful about this & feel like we have done everything wrong. Part of me wants to send the baby back to the Mom but then I will never forgive myself if something happens to him/her, & of course it will end up a wild cat. Also my husband is adamant that we cannot send the baby back into the wild. I love the Mom & feel terrible about the anguished Mom & baby. Is there anything I can do to help the Mom? I read in another post about bringing her somthing that smells like the baby, but at this point i have no idea the right thing to do & don’t want to makes things any worse, I have been sick over this whole situation for days. We have a vet appointment for the kitten this afternoon. Any advice would be deeply appreciated. Thank you.