Welcome to GaGa Sisterhood

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Guide For Grandmas

When Being a Grandma Isn't So Grand - Author Donne Davis

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Whether you’re a brand-new grandma, a seasoned grandma, or a grandma-at-heart, you’ve come to the right place. The GaGa Sisterhood has a wealth of resources for grandmas who are totally “gaga” for their grandchildren.

As the founder of the GaGa Sisterhood, I’ve been curating resources for grandmas since I first became one in 2003. I know firsthand how complicated the role can be. When you and your grandchild’s parents begin the exciting journey of welcoming this precious new being into the family, your lives will be forever changed.

You will experience the highest highs and possibly the lowest lows as you grow into your title of “Grandma” or “Nana” or “Noni” or a host of other grandma names. Whether you’re “Kiki” or “Baba,” (my grandma name,) choosing your grandma moniker may be your first big decision.

Donne Davis

Donne Davis
Founder of
GaGa Sisterhood

The content on this website includes twenty years of blog posts that offer advice on how to begin this exciting new relationship, book recommendations, ways to stay connected with your grandchildren, long-distance grandparenting advice, self-care and much more.

Be sure to click on our Resources page, where you’ll find links to our favorite grandparent websites. On our Press page, you’ll find links to podcasts and articles featuring my conversations with hosts about the ins and outs of being a grandma.

How Ga Ga Sisterhood Was Born

History of GaGa Sisterhood

Idea grew out of passion for becoming a grandma

My idea for GaGa Sisterhood grew out of my passion for becoming a grandma after witnessing the birth of my first grandchild, Juliet on April 26, 2003.

Immediately, I wanted to find kindred sisters who shared my enthusiasm, and boy did I! So many grandmas have graced my life over 20 years — it’s hard to quantify.
For two decades GaGa Sisterhood was a growing national membership organization. The organization provided “gaga” grandmas a place to bond, brag, and benefit.

Contact Me

Contact me if you need an article on grandparenting, a guest on your podcast or a speaker for your organization.

For more than twenty years, I’ve been writing and speaking on the joys and challenges of modern grandparents as well as the importance of rituals and traditions for families.

Drop a note to me on the Contact Form.

Over the Years

From our first meeting on December 7, 2003 to our last farewell meeting on December 7, 2023, grandmas have shared their stories and touched my heart.

For two decades, the GaGa Sisterhood has always been a labor of love for me. I produced regular blog posts and newsletters for our growing audience of grandmas. Over the years, the format of the group evolved but my mission remained firm — to inspire grandmas to keep growing and learning along with our children and grandchildren.

Since COVID, it became more laborious trying to juggle two almost disparate groups — our original local Silicon Valley grandmas and our newer online community from all over the U.S. (sometimes even Australia) The other difference was the age of our grandchildren. Lots of our members felt they’ve “aged out” because their grandchildren were teenagers and older. Finding speakers and topics that appealed to all ages became more challenging.

As I faced these challenges, I realized it was time for me to step down from hosting regular meetings and bid farewell to our GaGa Sisterhood members.

20 years -December 7, 2003 to December 7, 2023

On December 7, 2023, our GaGa Sisterhood members met for our last formal meeting. While there will be some small, local franchised GaGa Sisterhood groups who will continue to meet in their local neighborhoods, we are no longer continuing GaGa Sisterhood as a national online membership organization.

Going forward

Many ask me what’s next? I’ll continue to enjoy my three precious grandchildren and family. I’ll write articles and do some speaking on some of my favorite topics — the joys and challenges of modern grandparenting and rituals and traditions. I’m available for podcasts, panels, and public speaking opportunities.

Contact me if you or your organization needs a speaker. I look forward to staying in touch.  Drop a note to me on our Contact Form.

GaGa Sisterhood Resources

Link to Blog- 20 years of blog posts to inspire grandmas to keep growing and learning

Link to Resources - GaGa Sisterhood’s favorite grandparent websites

Link to Media and Press Clippings - links to podcasts and articles featuring me and the GaGa Sisterhood

Ask GaGa - send a note to connect

Visit GaGa Sisterhood Blog

20 years of posts about topics grandmas need to know

Our Blog contains 20 years of grandparent-focused content. Below are excerpts from some random posts published during the past 20 years. Click on the excerpt link to read the entire post. Also, you can search all the posts by Topic, when you visit our Blog Page.

Should Grandma Invoice Daughter for Granddaughter’s Visit

By Donne Davis | August 9, 2017

A letter to “Ask Amy” really shocked me. A grandma sent an invoice to her daughter for her granddaughter’s visit. Would you invoice your kids after a visit with your grandchild?

Read More »

Grandmothers Juggling Families and Jobs

By Donne Davis | October 3, 2016

Many grandmas care for their grandchildren regularly and also balance family life and careers. Meyer’s book addresses the issues of child care, emotional support, financial support and custodial care.

Read More »

DIY Haircuts Are a Rite of Passage with Little Girls

By Donne Davis | May 1, 2012

DIY haircuts among four-year olds are a classic rite of passage. Fortunately, my nine-year old only whacked her American Girl Doll’s hair and not her younger sister’s.

Read More »

How to Use a Family Meeting as a Discipline Tool

By Donne Davis | September 17, 2012

Many of the skills children need to regulate their behavior and navigate the challenges they face every day are taught and practiced in the family meeting.

Read More »

Are You Competing for Most Adored Grandmother?

By Donne Davis | February 13, 2023

Are you guilty of grandmother competition? If you are, you’re not alone. It comes with the territory in one of two forms.

Read More »

Birthday Surprise for a 99-Year Old Grandma

By Donne Davis | August 9, 2011

My sister-in-law’s nephew asked his family and friends to send his grandmother birthday cards for her 99th birthday. His goal: for her to receive 99 birthday cards.

Read More »

Setting Goals Not Making Resolutions

By Donne Davis | January 13, 2009

How are your resolutions going? We all make them—it’s part of the New Year’s tradition. We’re determined that this fresh New Year is the time to make resolutions.

Read More »

#1 Rule for Grandmas

By Donne Davis | February 8, 2022

The #1 rule for grandmas is don’t give unsolicited advice. We can quickly get into trouble once we cross into that place of “just wanting to help.” Our adult children don’t appreciate our advice and often feel defensive when they hear it.

Read More »

Side By Side Is a Practical Guide For Mother-Daughter Communication

By Donne Davis | March 24, 2011

Side By Side is a practical guide for mothers who want to improve their relationship with their daughters by learning to communicate more effectively and lovingly.

Read More »

Difficult Daughter-in-Law: What’s Her Problem?

By Donne Davis | March 26, 2018

The roots of the difficult daughter-in-law’s behavior may go back to her family of birth. She might have seen her mother be disrespectful or unloving toward her mother-in-law.

Read More »

Grandmas May Feel More Connected to Grandkids Than Their Own Kids

By Donne Davis | December 13, 2021

A new study suggests that grandmothers relate to their grandchildren differently than they do to their own offspring and feel more empathy for their grandchildren.

Read More »

Changing Your Routines Is Vital for Your Brain Health

By Donne Davis | August 4, 2022

Choosing to do things that break our routines and therefore challenge our brains will keep our brains healthy as we age.

Read More »

Start an Organizing Project With Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | February 22, 2011

An organizing project can be a fun way to teach grandchildren valuable skills, including sorting, keeping like-with-like and one-in/one-out. Here are some suggestions.

Read More »

Maybelle in the Soup – Tale of a Curious Cockroach

By Donne Davis | August 25, 2009

My granddaughter and I both loved Maybelle in the Soup, a children’s book about a curious little cockroach, who gets into lots of trouble because of her love of food.

Read More »

A Grandma Turns 60 and Discovers the Fountain of Youth

By Donne Davis | September 8, 2009

Senior Games athletes don’t define themselves by their age or the adversity they’ve faced living out their years. They continue to run and jump and play, and appreciate that life is for living, enjoying, trying new things and having fun.

Read More »

How to Conquer Clutter

By Donne Davis | March 28, 2022

Clutter can cause stress, anxiety, and exhaustion. Sometimes our possessions hold us back and we don’t even realize. When we let go of them, it’s amazing how much lighter, clearer, and less encumbered we feel.

Read More »

Make an Adorable Pine Cone Turkey for Thanksgiving

By Donne Davis | November 27, 2013

My grandma friend Cindy volunteers in her granddaughter’s third grade classroom. This week she taught the class how to make pine cone turkeys for Thanksgiving.

Read More »

Do You Protect Your Privacy on Social Media?

By Donne Davis | February 20, 2018

As we utilize the Internet and social media, it’s important to keep your personal information safe with these ten tips for protecting your privacy on social networking sites.

Read More »

Heartbroken Grandma Denied Access to Grandson by Daughter

By Donne Davis | January 22, 2018

This heartbroken grandma is being denied access to her 7-year old grandson whose daughter has stopped allowing her to visit him. Reconciliation isn’t easy but your grandson is suffering in the middle.

Read More »

33 Things To Know About Raising Creative Kids

By Donne Davis | November 16, 2010

Whitney Ferre, author of 33 Things To Know About Raising Creative Kids, believes creative thinking will determine our grandchildren’s success in the next century.

Read More »

Testimonals

“I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed yesterday’s meeting, my first. What a lovely, dynamic bunch of women!”… Susan

“Thank you so much for the wonderful opportunity to join the GaGa sisterhood. I really enjoyed everyone and the common bond we all share in our own way as Grandmothers. It is surely a great group of women and I loved how open hearted everyone was, I felt very much at home”… Mary Beth

“I get many newsletters. By far, I’d say yours is one of the most interesting and useful” … Helga

“Usually I avoid groups, but the GaGa Sisterhood is very special and I enjoy the meetings, the subjects, and the other grandmas tremendously. Thank you for creating this group and keeping us going”… Carolyn

“Your Sisterhood organization information has been so helpful in preparing me for this unexpectedly rewarding time of life. Thank you” … Carolynn

“Thanks for sending the GaGazine. All of your tips and work are so valuable and fill such a need in uniting three generations”… Berna

“Your newsletter is consistently informative. I don’t know how you do it, but you write the best e-newsletters. I read every part of it. I am sorry that I missed this meeting, but your newsletter brought me up to date.  Thank you”… Carol

“Every meeting has offered something to take away with me ~ some little nugget of advice, some inspiration, a closer connection with another GaGa”… Susan

“You are in for lots of treats as our GaGa gatherings are always very enjoyable”… Kathleen

“After meeting all of you, I’ve been inspired by how you nurture your grandchildren and how GaGa Sisterhood is truly a place for us to be nurtured. You are a wonderful group of ladies and I am proud to have become a member”… Carol

“Your GaGazine is awesome!  Colorful, straightforward, and loaded with information”… Len

“The GaGazine is a real winner!”… Joyce

“You always produce an enjoyable must read. I look forward to every new issue. Keep up the Grand work!”… Christine

“I really had a transformative experience this afternoon! I came home and described the meeting in detail to my husband who was very interested and so pleased that I had this opportunity. The women were so open, and willing to share their experiences and caring attitudes! I will definitely join the group and hope to eventually bring some friends along too!”….Sue

“Thank you for being the very special, loving and caring person that you are. You are so generous to share your natural talents as our leader, to be better grandparents and people. We continue to learn much in many ways...from the speakers you bring to us, by the friendships and commonalities, to the fun and laughs, and even tears we share.  It is truly the very best, because of you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, dear Donne”…. Carol

“You plan such lovely meetings for all of us. I have developed two new friendships from our group, for which I will be ever grateful”… Bev

“What a wonderful GaGa Sisterhood meeting! The way you organized it worked so well and the questions really generated discussion in a most meaningful way. Hats off to you for figuring out how to make it work!”… Marcia

“The GaGa Sisterhood provides not only a place to brag, bond and benefit, but also a place for support, sharing and just plain silliness as we explore who we are as active, involved and evolving grandmothers”… Susan

“I feel very fortunate to have discovered GaGa Sisterhood while visiting my daughter who recently moved to California from the East Coast where I live. I’ve attended just a couple of meetings so far but those meetings and the women I’ve met there have helped me feel more at home at “my home away from home”. Because of this, I am trying to time my future visits to the West Coast, whenever possible, to match the bi-monthly GaGa Sisterhood meetings”… Marcia

“I love the speakers who present at our GaGa Sisterhood meetings.  They are always the highest caliber professionals and they always have something really interesting to say”… Carol

“I really enjoy meeting with this group of women. They are far more informed than the grandma’s of yesteryear. Moreover, they are willing to open up, share, and be enlightened by others. The group of women is very eclectic–each woman has a unique and individual gift to bring to our circle.”… Lisa

“I enjoyed the meeting today. It felt like a comfortable, supportive and fun place to be. Thanks for organizing this group. I think it is a good fit for me and I look forward to future get togethers”… Ricka

“Great meeting. Enjoyed it thoroughly. Very supportive and collegial. Thanks for creating such a warm environment”… Berna

“Thank you for an absolutely outstanding GaGa meeting this afternoon. I feel fortunate to be a part of this lovely group of women. It was an exceptional meeting and I appreciated how honest and genuine everyone was.”… Cheri

“I loved today’s GaGa meeting, it was enlightening and ever so much fun! I can’t wait until the next one in September. So glad I am now a part of this wonderful group of Grandmas!”… Carol

“I admire the way you run the meetings, how inclusive you are, and, mostly, the fact that you created this group out of a common life event–being a grandmother” .... Miriam

“What a treat to be able to share this amazing grandmother experience with those that ‘get it!’ Such a joy!”

"Being a part of The GaGa Sisterhood is such an incredible gift! I love the intellectual stimulation and the building of new relationships. I hope you understand what an incredible experience you're offering to so many of us. You truly are a blessing and I deeply appreciate all you do to make our meetings so meaningful"  .....  Kate

"Your newsletter has great information that's given me inspiration and wisdom on my journey as a grandparent." .... Diane

"Thank you for all you do for us. You enrich our lives and expand our minds" ... LH

Some Kudos GaGa Sisterhood Received Over The Years

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