This study aimed at analyzing the comprehension of mothers and grandmothers about care and their perceptions about the institutional sheltering of their children and grandchildren. Participated in this study ten women, 21-61 years old, interviewed inside a sheltering unit in the city of Belém, in the state of Pará, Brazil. The data collected was organized and analyzed through the Content Analysis. The results were ranked in three categories: affective mobilization in the care; care routine and the responsibilities of caretakers; perception of mothers and grandmothers about institutional sheltering. The discussion was based on a systemic perception articulated with the psychodynamic theory. The contents of the interviews indicated an affective and/or behavioral implication of mothers and the care of their children and grandchildren, and the importance of responsibilities in the caretakers performance. Moreover, the variations of perceptions about institutional sheltering are about how the emotional repercussions and the changes in the family's routine were understood by these women. It was concluded that the care provided in the sheltering space was conceived as good, when the demands from the children and their original families were attended. Even though, the separation caused by the social protective measure brought suffering to the participants and that there is the interest of mothers and grandmothers to regain the daily living with children and grandchildren.