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.

How to Build a
Co-Grandparenting Team

By Donne Davis | March 13, 2019

Due to divorces, remarriages, and blended families, the number of co-grandparents can be in double digits for some grandchildren. Getting along can be easy and comfortable or uncomfortable and problematic.

Read More »

Everyday Rituals Are the Glue that Bonds Families

By Donne Davis | October 7, 2013

Holiday traditions are important but the simple rituals we do everyday when we greet each other, sit down to meals or say goodnight create the true tapestries of our family.

Read More »

Put Pen to Paper: Connect with Grandchildren through Letter Writing

By Donne Davis | July 24, 2023

Putting pen to paper holds a powerful force for creating meaningful connections with your grandchildren.

Read More »

Helping Your Grandchild with the Loss of a Grandparent

By Donne Davis | October 2, 2018

Helping your grandchild cope with the loss of a grandparent and the ensuing grief is unique to every family. There’s no one way to grieve, no right or wrong response.

Read More »

Peaceful Piggy Meditation Teaches Children Inner Harmony

By Donne Davis | May 14, 2012

MacLean says that meditating is a self-care regimen like brushing your teeth that keeps your mind happy and healthy the same way you keep your teeth clean and healthy.

Read More »

Partner With Parents to Build Strong Connections with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | March 1, 2021

If you’re a long-distance grandma who wants to have a strong and fun connection with your grandchildren, you need to partner with their parents to help strengthen that relationship.

Read More »

Helping Kids Cope with the Barrage of Scary News

By Donne Davis | October 3, 2017

Helping children understand complicated situations is no easy task. Check in often with them but from a place of assurance, not anxiety.

Read More »

Celebrating Grandparents Day with Other Grandmas

By Donne Davis | September 14, 2009

GaGa Sisterhood meeting takes place on National Grandparents Day. Members share who they are when they’re not being “grandma.”

Read More »

Website for Parents of Estranged Adult Children

By Donne Davis | February 19, 2019

An estimated 20% of American families are navigating an estrangement. Author Sheri McGregor was one of them. She founded a website and published a book for estranged parents.

Read More »

Grandparents Should Speak Up on Safety Issues

By Donne Davis | December 7, 2009

Grandparents shouldn’t give unsolicited advice to parents unless it concerns safety. What’s the best way to say it without being critical or judgmental?

Read More »

Embracing Our Vulnerability

By Donne Davis | April 30, 2018

As we age, we may feel reluctant to show our vulnerability which feeds into the stereotypes of ageism. Sharing our vulnerability is not weakness; it’s allowing people to see who we are.

Read More »

Heartbroken Great-Grandma Feels Left Out

By Donne Davis | September 14, 2020

A great-grandma who has a close bond with her daughter and granddaughter wrote to ask for advice after being denied access to her granddaughter’s preemie.

Read More »

Grandparenting on Purpose

By Donne Davis | December 30, 2021

Winn Egan, grandfather of 22 grandchildren and co-author of “Grandparenting on Purpose” believes that we can each create our own unique grandparenting style by deeply knowing ourselves and our grandchildren.

Read More »

The Challenge of Enforcing Music Practice

By Donne Davis | October 21, 2015

I have a lot of admiration for mothers of musically talented children. It’s a challenge to enforce children to practice their instruments so they’ll be motivated to continue learning.

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 »

Why Is Time Flying?

By Donne Davis | November 28, 2022

Time looks and feels different depending on your age and circumstances. A year to a grandchild seems like an eternity, to a grandparent, it’s just a blip.

Read More »

Don’t Roll Your Eyes by Ruth Nemzoff

By Donne Davis | September 4, 2012

In her new book, Ruth Nemzoff offers advice on what to do when perfect strangers — or people you wish were strangers — become your family, namely, in-laws.

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 »

The Positive Impact of Inter-generational Learning

By Donne Davis | August 20, 2014

Mary Bomyea and her great-granddaughter Lennon Clement discover how much fun it can be spending time together while revealing the positive impact of inter-generational learning.

Read More »

A Tribute to My Mother on Mother’s Day

By Donne Davis | May 9, 2014

My birthday falls the day before Mother’s Day which I’ll celebrate with my 91-year old mom who continues to inspire me with each new stage of her life.

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

Scroll to Top