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.

Successful Parent-Grandparent Relationships in Two Words

By Donne Davis | February 8, 2021

If you want to be a welcomed and successful grandparent, practice zipping it. Yes, granted, you have lots of experience, and yes, you have what many would consider wisdom, but until such time as you are invited to share your experience and wisdom, Zip it.

Read More »

How to Ease a Child’s Separation Anxiety

By Donne Davis | May 14, 2010

A little separation anxiety is part of a child’s normal development. It can occur from as early as five months and resurface out of the blue until a child is four years old. This kind of behavior can actually be a positive sign because it shows that the child recognizes and has formed important attachments with loved ones.

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Finding Hope & Staying Sane During the Pandemic [Part 1]

By Donne Davis | June 16, 2020

Psychotherapist Karen Gould, LMFT, explains why we’re feeling so anxious during the pandemic and provides some tools for reducing our anxiety.

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Learning the Boundaries of Communication

By Donne Davis | January 23, 2017

Of all the challenges we grandmas face, the biggest seems to be around communication with our adult children. Communication takes sensitivity, empathy, patience and a lot of practice.

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Grandpas Can Have a Big Impact on Their Grandchild’s Life

By Donne Davis | October 14, 2013

Grandpas, whatever their style or approach, can and will make lasting impressions on their grandchildren who need their encouragement, interest and love.

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How it feels to be a long distance grandparent

By Donne Davis | December 21, 2023

Long-distance grandparenting can be emotionally complex. You will likely need to work harder to nurture the relationship with your grandchild.

Read More »

The Impact of Mental Illness on Grandparent Estrangement

By Donne Davis | March 5, 2018

Grandparents with mentally ill adult children often face the pain of grandparent estrangement. This poignant letter from a heartbroken grandma describes those ups and downs.

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Parenthood Can Be a Mixed Bag

By Donne Davis | May 29, 2012

Parenting can be a mixed bag filled with incredible highs and devastating lows. And parenting adult children who are now parents themselves can be just as tricky.

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Developing Patience Begins with Ourselves

By Donne Davis | July 15, 2014

The more we see life as messy and unpredictable, and people as bumbling through life the best they can, the more patience we bring to the circumstances and people in our lives.

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Give a Personal Hug to a Loved One with Hug-E-Gram

By Donne Davis | June 5, 2012

Seven years ago Peri-Sue Zausner was diagnosed with breast cancer. During her recovery, she knew that hugs and laughter made her feel better. So she created the Hug-E-Gram.

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Welcomes Amanda Gorman’s Grandmother

By Donne Davis | November 8, 2021

Bertha Gaffney Gorman gives us an inside peek at her world-renown granddaughter, Amanda Gorman during our GaGa Sisterhood Zoom meeting on Sunday, November 14 from 2 to 4 pm PST.

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Dinner Ritual Born of 9/11

By Donne Davis | September 13, 2011

On the day after 9/11, my husband and I started a ritual we’ve continued to this day. When we sit down to dinner, we light a candle and say something we’re grateful for that day.

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Going GaGa for Gualala

By Donne Davis | January 25, 2011

Gualala is a great Valentine’s Day destination if you’re looking for ocean views and walks on the beach. The name comes from the Indian phrase “Where the water flows down.”

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Beautiful Blue Eyes Celebrates Children’s Eye Color

By Donne Davis | August 31, 2011

Beautiful Blue Eyes by Marianne Richmond celebrates the unique thoughts, feelings and spirit of the blue-eyed boy or girl. The book is dedicated to her blue-eyed daughter.

Read More »

Staying Connected to Long-Distance Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | September 20, 2021

Join professional storyteller Debra Weller and me on Saturday, September 25, 2021, at 4:30 pm EST for a lively conversation on how to stay connected to your long-distance grandchildren.

Read More »

Grandparents – Let’s Have Our Say!

By Donne Davis | October 1, 2009

At our July GaGa Sisterhood meeting twenty grandmas engaged in a lively discussion that was long overdue: When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand. Fairly early in the conversation one grandma brought up a good point: how come we’re the ones who have to bend over backwards in relationships with our children? What about our […]

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Happy Birthday, GaGa Sisterhood!

By Donne Davis | December 7, 2008

GaGaSisterhood is five years old today, December 7, 2008

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Boost the Connection with Your Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | March 21, 2023

Grandparents need help figuring out what to talk about during video chats with their grandchildren — Kerry Byrne has developed a wealth of ideas.

Read More »

Therapeutic Journaling Helps Achieve Perfect Health

By Donne Davis | May 3, 2011

Writing in a journal can be good therapy for your body, mind, and spirit. I started writing my first journal in 1977 and now I’m on my 51st volume. When I discovered Mari McCarthy’s Journaling for the Health of It, I invited her to write a guest post.Mari is a Journaling Therapy Specialist and founder of […]

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Our Nation’s “First Grandmother,” Marian Robinson

By Donne Davis | November 24, 2008

Michelle Obama’s mother will move into the White House to help care for her grandchildren. Will we see the “Grandmother Effect?”

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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