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.

Run for the Seals on March 13

By Donne Davis | March 5, 2010

Take your grandchildren to the 2-mile run/walk Run for the Seals on March 13, 2010 in Sausalito, CA. and get a tour of the Marine Mammal Center when you’re finished.

Read More »

Do You Play Favorites With Your Grandchildren?

By Donne Davis | August 7, 2014

As grandmas, it’s important that we don’t favor one grandchild over another because it can have long-lasting effects on both the favored and the less favored child.

Read More »

The Ultimate Grandparenting Tool-Club Eimmie

By Donne Davis | May 20, 2019

How do you connect with your grandkids and be a positive influence, be looked up to, love and be loved and give gifts that inspire imagination through creative play? Check out Club Eimmie.

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 »

13 Best Books for New Grandparents

By Donne Davis | June 14, 2016

Each year GRAND Magazine selects the best new books for grandparents. These books offer sage advice for seasoned grandparents as well as new ones.

Read More »

Gratitude Is a Gift to Yourself

By Donne Davis | November 28, 2019

When you express gratitude, you’re literally changing the molecular structure of your brain. And when you do, you become more peaceful, less reactive and genuinely happier.

Read More »

What Moms Want from Grandparents

By Donne Davis | October 24, 2016

I surveyed over 50 moms and asked them what they want from the grandparents. Most of their poignant responses fell into two categories: they want respect and empathy.

Read More »

How Do You Feel About Your Next Birthday?

By Donne Davis | June 20, 2022

Your beliefs about aging can influence your memory and sensory perceptions, how well you walk, how fully you recover from disabling illness, and how long you live.

Read More »

Celebrating Grandparents Day with Grandmas

By Donne Davis | September 10, 2013

Today’s grandmas are a different breed than our own grandmothers. They’re more active and engaged in activities that are changing the world.

Read More »

Build Strong Relationships With Your Adult Children

By Donne Davis | December 14, 2017

When our families grow, it’s up to us to embrace the challenge of recreating and maintaining close adult relationships while allowing freedom for individuality.

Read More »

When Family Members Disagree About Religion or Politics

By Donne Davis | March 16, 2020

As our country becomes more polarized and volatile, families are having painful disagreements about politics or religion. Learn three ways to rebuild peace and family closeness in 2020.

Read More »

Opening a Baby’s Time Capsule After 13 Years

By Donne Davis | May 10, 2016

In 2004, we celebrated my granddaughter’s first birthday by creating a time capsule for her. In April 2016, she opened her time capsule with her family — it was a magical moment for everyone.

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Blog in Top 10 Grandparent Websites

By Donne Davis | September 3, 2014

GRAND Magazine scouted around the Internet to view grandparent websites and chose the GaGa Sisterhood blog among the ten that they thought really stood out.

Read More »

World’s Best Grandparent Contest

By Donne Davis | August 1, 2015

Walt Disney World is sponsoring a “World’s Best Grandparent” contest and one lucky grandparent will win a 7-night vacation package for 6 people to the Walt Disney World Resort.

Read More »

Self-Esteem for a Lifetime Offers Practical Advice For Parents

By Donne Davis | August 29, 2009

Self-Esteem for a Lifetime offers practical techniques and a hopeful message for parents, educators and people who love children: Nurturing self-esteem is a dynamic process and it’s never too late to begin.

Read More »

Disciplining Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | February 20, 2009

I admit it—I’ve never been good at disciplining kids. As a parent, I was a pushover and if I had to do it over again, I’d try much harder to be consistent and stricter.

Read More »

The Importance of Today’s Grandmothers

By Donne Davis | March 20, 2013

What is the role that grandmothers play in modern life? Three grandmother experts discuss the impact grandmothers are making to reshape public life from health care to politics.

Read More »

Cannon Beach, Oregon Is a Vacation Spot for All Ages

By Donne Davis | September 18, 2009

Cannon Beach is a spectacular spot to explore tide pools around Haystack Rock, hike in Ecola State Park, and enjoy great food in town.

Read More »

10 Strategies for Joyful Aging

By Donne Davis | July 5, 2021

Ageism, like any ‘ism’, comes from a place of fear, and sometimes it’s our own. Dave Stewart, the founder of Ageist Magazine recommends we do something to outmaneuver society’s negative view on aging and live better and longer lives ourselves.

Read More »

The Biggest Mistake New Grandmas Make

By Donne Davis | March 21, 2016

The biggest mistake we new grandmas make is thinking our role is just about our new grandchild — not realizing the most important relationship is with the child’s parents.

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

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