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.

Grandoodlez Helps Grandparents Bond with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | November 14, 2011

Eileen Meier founded Grandoodlez to help grandparents and grandkids stay connected by creating talking books, cards, doodlez, videos, and photos online.

Read More »

10 Tips for Avoiding Post-Holiday Blues

By Donne Davis | December 1, 2008

This past Thanksgiving, after I hugged and kissed my daughter and two granddaughters, I stood at the curb waving goodbye. I could feel the letdown creeping over me.

Read More »

Granny Camp is a Big Success

By Donne Davis | July 28, 2009

During summer vacation, Granny Camp is the place to go. It’s a great break for the grandkids and their parents. The best part is that it’s for a finite period of time and then the grandkids go back home.

Read More »

Grandparenting — A Pathway for Self-Discovery

By Donne Davis | October 24, 2022

When writing and telling our stories, we discover what we think, and feel, and what lies beneath the surface of what we already know.

Read More »

Blue Goo Fun

By Donne Davis | December 26, 2008

Are you up for an art adventure that’s messy but loads of fun and teaches a little science? On one of my summer visits to my granddaughters it was too hot to go

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Featured on Ask Dr. Business (VIDEO)

By Donne Davis | March 2, 2010

Donne Davis was featured on Ask Dr. Business, a cable tv show hosted by Roy Blitzer at the Media Center in Palo Alto, CA. focusing on how to make work more satisfying.

Read More »

Should Grandparents Limit Tech Time?

By Donne Davis | March 11, 2015

When grandchildren visited their grandparents, the grandparents were frustrated that the children didn’t want to engage with them and wanted to play games on their iPads.

Read More »

10 Tips for Improving Mother-Daughter Communication

By Donne Davis | January 20, 2011

Over the past year my daughter and I have gotten motivated to do some conscious work on understanding each other’s perspectives. Here are a few tips we’ve learned.

Read More »

Feeling Pressure Over Holiday Celebrations and Expectations?

By Donne Davis | December 1, 2009

As you plan your holiday celebrations, pay close attention to your feelings. Are you looking forward to the holidays or filled with a sense of dread?

Read More »

Emotional July 4 Tribute to Our Veterans

By Donne Davis | July 5, 2017

On the 4th of July, I volunteer to sing patriotic songs to veterans at the VA Hospital in Palo Alto, CA. It’s an easy way for me to offer a tribute to the brave veterans who have served in the military.

Read More »

Selecting Books For Reluctant Readers

By Donne Davis | October 28, 2010

Some children take to reading easily. If you have a reluctant reader in the family, selecting books that fit can be extra challenging. Here are some tips that have worked.

Read More »

How to Strengthen Your Resilience

By Donne Davis | June 13, 2013

You can build your resilience by learning to be open-hearted, forgiving, vulnerable, and most importantly, developing a sense of humor to help during stressful situations.

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 »

When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand, Revisited

By Donne Davis | January 31, 2012

Grandmas face challenges in their relationships with their grandchildren’s parents. At our meeting, we discussed 3 challenges: difficult relationships, hurt feelings, and different parenting methods.

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 »

Parenting Grandkids: A Tale of Tangled Love Stories

By Donne Davis | November 1, 2017

Raising grandkids is hard. Author Joan Callander Dingle adopted her grandson and walked through the emotional, legal and behavioral problems then used her experience to help other grandparents raising grandchildren.

Read More »

Planting Beans and Growing Memories

By Donne Davis | April 8, 2011

Gardening with your grandchildren can be a great way to bond with them. Here’s what you’ll need to build your bean teepee with your grandchild.

Read More »

8 Tips for Enjoying Multigenerational Vacations

By Donne Davis | April 10, 2014

Each year more than 5 million families vacation with 3 generations. Here are 8 tips for taking a vacation where everyone from toddlers to grandparents can have a good time.

Read More »

Making a Difference in the World

By Donne Davis | February 22, 2009

GaGa Sisterhood March 2009 meeting: How one family was inspired to make a difference after volunteering with Save the Children.

Read More »

The Best of the Best Grandparent Resources

By Donne Davis | August 24, 2022

I’m honored to be among GRAND Magazine’s 2022 Best of the Best Grandparent Resources.

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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