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.

Toothbrushing Ritual: Name That Toonth

By Donne Davis | November 28, 2011

Most kids don’t like their teeth brushed. Not my 8 and 4-year old granddaughters. They love it when I brush their teeth, because I play a game called Name That Toonth!

Read More »

September 10 GaGa Sisterhood Features Parenting Expert Sheri Glucoft Wong

By Donne Davis | September 5, 2023

Parenting expert Sheri Glucoft Wong will share some tips from her book “Raising Kids: Your Essential Guide to Everyday Parenting on September 10, 2023.

Read More »

Connecting with a Long-Distance Infant

By Donne Davis | September 26, 2016

As a soon-to-be grandma, I’ve read many suggestions for connecting with older long-distance grandchildren, but how does one do connect with an infant?

Read More »

Grieving for a Dear Friend

By Donne Davis | August 16, 2013

This summer feels unreal. Instead of visiting my granddaughters, I pair each visit with a trip to the hospital, just a few miles from their home, to see my best friend, Marilyn.

Read More »

Would You Relocate to Live Near Your Grandchildren?

By Donne Davis | March 10, 2011

Would you pack up and move to live near your grandchildren? It may be the best move of your life, but before you do, be sure it has a good chance of working out.

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 […]

Read More »

Grandmas Finally Get to Be the Funmeisters

By Donne Davis | January 24, 2012

Today’s moms have way more stress than we had when we were raising them. When grandmas complain their daughters don’t have enough fun, I say “cut ’em some slack.”

Read More »

Create Your Family Climate Action Plan

By Donne Davis | May 23, 2022

Paola Gianturco’s new book “Cool: Women Leaders Reversing Global Warming” showcases women leaders around the world who are inspiring families to create their own family climate action plan against global warming.

Read More »

Mother’s Day Dilemma

By Donne Davis | May 7, 2018

Mother’s Day used to be a special day when we show appreciation for our mothers and all they’ve done for their children all year long. How do you celebrate with every mother in your life and still have a special day yourself?

Read More »

On Grandparents Day Not Every Grandma Can Be GaGa

By Donne Davis | September 10, 2017

Over the years, I’ve learned that every grandma’s experience is uniquely her own and not every grandma can be gaga for her grandchildren.

Read More »

Teach Your Child How to Be a Good Loser

By Donne Davis | May 25, 2010

Help your child learn how to lose gracefully by being a good loser yourself, by weaning them off of the need to win every time, and by teaching them words to express their emotions.

Read More »

GRAND Magazine’s 2011 Grandparents of the Year

By Donne Davis | September 9, 2011

GRAND Magazine has announced this year’s winners and 10 finalists of their 2011 GRANDparent of the Year contest. Mike and Nancy Conley are the 2011 GRANDparents of the Year.

Read More »

The Double-Edged Nature of Being a Grandma

By Donne Davis | January 7, 2019

The “double-edged nature of being a grandma is when we are with our grandchildren and think of the future, we’re reminded of our own absence from that future.

Read More »

Are You Different as a Grandma Than Your Mother Was?

By Donne Davis | March 25, 2013

Every generation has some similarities and differences with the generation that preceded it. Are you different as a grandma than your mother was?

Read More »

DIY Haircuts Are a Rite of Passage with Little Girls

By Donne Davis | May 1, 2012

DIY haircuts among four-year olds are a classic rite of passage. Fortunately, my nine-year old only whacked her American Girl Doll’s hair and not her younger sister’s.

Read More »

Advice for Conflicts Between Parents and Grandparents

By Donne Davis | May 2, 2017

Differences of opinion on parenting methods can lead to conflict between the generations and need to be addressed with sensitivity and diplomacy.

Read More »

Food for Thoughtful Parenting

By Donne Davis | November 1, 2011

Nina Coslov and Tara Keppler have pulled together their favorite parenting strategies into an easy-to-read collection of 12 lists to help moms through the rough spots.

Read More »

Competing with the “Other” Grandmother

By Donne Davis | January 27, 2009

Natural rivalry between grandmothers happens, but our grandchildren need all the love they can get.

Read More »

How to Raise a Child Who Loves to Read

By Donne Davis | September 21, 2010

Reading Together gives a wealth of strategies, book titles, and conversation topics to help children find what to read, and then how to find meaning and pleasure in their reading.

Read More »

3 Important Tools for Grandparents

By Donne Davis | September 26, 2023

Grandparents help shape their grandchildren’s character, their social self, and therefore their self-esteem and capacity to deal with things and navigate 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

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