Abstract
Grandparenting in the context of childhood disability, is an under-researched area, particularly in the UK. This qualitative study draws on in-depth interviews with nine grandparents (seven grandmothers) of children aged 3–19 years with a range of developmental disabilities. Grandparenting ‘norms’ were similar to grandparents of non-disabled children, namely to ‘not interfere’ and ‘be there’. However, this was complemented by ‘intensive’ grandparenting, and grandparents simultaneously expressed positive and negative feelings and exercised considerable agency to achieve a balance in their relationships with their disabled and non-disabled grandchildren. Grandparents reflected on the impact of their own ageing and death in the context of the continued needs of their disabled grandchild, and worried for their adult children, denied a ‘normal’ life course. The ageing of the disabled grandchild and grandparents impacts on the type and intensity of grandparenting provided, with particular implications for the care responsibilities of middle generation adult children.