By Catherine Lyst BBC Scotland's news website

Children end up in foster care for a variety of reasons

Grace McMahon has dealt with more than her fair share of tantrums.

With three offspring of her own, she has also become "mum" to about 50 other children over the past couple of years.

However, the 44-year-old, who first embarked on life as a foster carer as a single person, takes it all in her stride and sees each child as a "gift".

Recently married for a second time, her new partner, Wazir, 51, will soon be joining the extended family in Pollok, Glasgow, from his home in Pakistan.

Grace's own children, Steven, 21, Amy, 18, and Stuart, 12, are used to sharing their mum.

The real reward is when you see that you've made a difference

Grace is an emergency foster carer for under 10s who will stay with her for anything from one night to 16 weeks.

Children are placed with her from all kinds of backgrounds. They may have suffered neglect, physical, sexual or emotional abuse or they may come to her as their parents are in hospital or prison.

"The way I look at it, children are children who deserve to be treated the same way we would treat adults," Grace said.

'Extremely difficult'

She does find it difficult when the children leave but usually feels proud of her achievements with them.

"My first child was only two weeks old and she was with me for four-and-a-half months," she said.

"I found it very difficult to let her go. I thought it was too hard but then the next lot of children come in and you just get on with it.

"I had one child who was extremely difficult the whole time he was here but I still got a lump in my throat when he left. I just kept wondering what kind of life he was going into."

Grace's son Steven now lives abroad but her two youngest are still at home.

Carer shortage

"Amy is very good with the children and takes it all in her stride," she said.

"As with any children there are some my son has got on with more than others but he is now used to sharing his things - his toys, his house, his time and his mother."

Grace is currently looking after three girls, aged 18 months, two and four. But due to the shortage in carers coming forward, she has at times looked after four children - as well as her own.

All children are a gift on loan for you to look after - to do the best job you can. That's all I try to do

"If someone feels they have something to offer they should come forward as there is a desperate shortage of carers," she said.

"The best thing for these children is for them to be settled as soon as possible, so the more carers available the better."

The necessary finances, training and support are provided for anyone who wants to become a foster carer.

Grace added: "The best thing about fostering is the sense of doing something worthwhile and the sense of achievement when you see the children thriving.

"The real reward is when you see that you've made a difference. When a child comes to you with no manners and leaves saying "thank you" without being prompted or washing his or her hands before a meal."

"My grandmother used to say that all children are a gift on loan for you to look after - to do the best job you can. That's all I try to do."