Welcome to GaGa Sisterhood

Purchase Our Book
Guide For Grandmas

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

Available for purchase
at these locations
Amazon
ITunes

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.

Boomers, Find Your Inner Artist

By Donne Davis | May 21, 2013

If you’ve dreamed of playing an instrument or becoming a writer or artist, there’s a higher likelihood of it happening in your sixties than any other time in your life, according to Francine Toder.

Read More »

12 Best Gifts for Grandmas

By Donne Davis | December 14, 2020

This year the holidays are tricky due to travel restrictions from COVID. Writer Chloe Anello found some gifts that are particularly great for those who aren’t able to see their grandmothers this season.

Read More »

“Flat Stanley” Inspires Fun Project for Children

By Donne Davis | April 16, 2015

My 8-year old friend invited me to participate in her “Flat Stanley” project by keeping a travel journal with sights and souvenirs from my travels around my town.

Read More »

Show Appreciation to the Mother of Your Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | May 5, 2010

This Mother’s Day write or tell your daughter or daughter-in-law what a wonderful job she’s doing raising your grandchildren. Express your gratitude, thanks, and appreciation to her in a genuine way and be specific.

Read More »

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | June 12, 2009

Nearly six million children in the US are being raised by their grandparents. Karen Best Wright’s story will give you a better idea of the depth and breadth of the problem.

Read More »

Bunch of Grapes Halloween Costume

By Donne Davis | November 5, 2009

For Halloween I discovered a “grape” idea for my granddaughters’ costumes – bunches of grapes, from the website Grandloving. Use balloons, felt and safety pins.

Read More »

The Parents Guide to Raising CEO Kids

By Donne Davis | October 28, 2011

How do you raise a young entrepreneur? The same way you’d raise any child—by helping her develop the skills to become a happy, successful, and well-adjusted adult.

Read More »

Top 10 Posts of 2020

By Donne Davis | January 11, 2021

As we begin 2021, my wish for you is a healthy and hopeful new year. But before we move forward, I’m taking a look backward to share the most popular posts in 2020.

Read More »

Do Maternal Grandmothers Really Have It Better?

By Donne Davis | February 2, 2011

Being the mother-in-law is the hot-button subject paternal grandmothers tend to dwell on. But do grandmothers on the maternal side really have it so much better?

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 »

Mom Needs Help with Critical Grandma

By Donne Davis | October 14, 2011

This letter to Dear Abby about an overly critical grandma appeared on October 9. Here’s some advice to the mother from my daughter, who’s a marriage and family therapist.

Read More »

When Should We Retire Our Skates and Skis?

By Donne Davis | May 2, 2011

When I became a grandma eight years ago, I retired my inline skates. Even though I was a confident skater, I didn’t want to risk falling and getting an injury that would put me out of commission for grandma duty. I started inline skating in 1990 and loved the exhilaration of sailing down hills listening […]

Read More »

The Value of Sharing Family Stories with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | April 4, 2022

The more children know about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believe their families function.

Read More »

How Do Your Children Parent?

By Donne Davis | September 29, 2017

Author Alison Gopnik asks: should parents be “carpenters” and focus their energy on trying to build their kids to be particular kinds of adults or “gardeners,” and create a protected, nurturing space that gives children the freedom to play and explore.

Read More »

Everything You Want to Know About CBD Oil

By Donne Davis | March 4, 2019

CBD has been a viable alternative health option for decades. CBD has the potential to help alleviate a multitude of everyday ailments, including stress, anxiety, inflammation, and sleeplessness.

Read More »

How to Talk to Little Girls

By Donne Davis | December 6, 2011

What is the first thing you say to a little girl when you meet her, when your friend’s daughter comes over to play, when you see her at church or at a restaurant?

Read More »

Wonder Girls: Changing Our World

By Donne Davis | October 10, 2017

Paola Gianturco and her 11-year old granddaughter documented the work of 15 girl-led nonprofit groups in 13 countries in her their new book, Wonder Girls: Changing Our World.

Read More »

Grandma Bootcamp

By Donne Davis | July 3, 2023

Canadian author and broadcaster Kathy Buckworth offers a Grandma Boot Camp with five important exercises for grandmas to follow.

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 »

Transitioning from Paris Honeymoon to Daily Routine

By Donne Davis | October 28, 2013

Transitioning from my Paris honeymoon to my daily routine has been hard. Two years ago I wrote a post about how to beat post vacation blues, so I thought I was prepared.

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

Scroll to Top