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.

San Jose Mercury News Features GaGa Sisterhood

By Donne Davis | May 26, 2009

Patty Fisher’s May 21 San Jose Mercury News column features a story about becoming a grandmother and creating the GaGa Sisterhood for enthusiastic grandmothers.

Read More »

Grandchildren Are a Ticket to Childhood

By Donne Davis | April 10, 2017

Grandkids bring you into a sweeter, slower present. They show you the future and take you back to childhood—theirs, their parent’s, your own: a three-time admittance to a wonderland.

Read More »

Grandparents Have a Sacred Role During COVID-19

By Donne Davis | September 8, 2020

Grandparents have a sacred role to help foster empathy, self-understanding, kindness, and acceptance in our grandchildren simply by our ordinary attention — now more than ever before.

Read More »

Nikon Camera Winner

By Donne Davis | January 17, 2011

We have a winner of the new COOLPIX Nikon digital camera.

Read More »

Win a KaZAM Children’s Bike

By Donne Davis | November 24, 2015

Win a KaZAM children’s balance bike by entering our giveaway which ends on November 30 at midnight PST. A winner will be selected on December 1, 2015.

Read More »

The Clintons Embrace Their Role as Grandparents

By Donne Davis | September 29, 2014

I’m excited for Hilary and Bill Clinton. It’s going to be so much fun to watch them as they embrace their new role as grandparents.

Read More »

Patience Can Be Learned 

By Donne Davis | April 19, 2021

With the right attitudes and a bit of practice, we can learn to harness the power of patience in our lives. It’s a combination of motivation (wanting to,) awareness (paying attention to our inner landscape,) and cultivation (practicing.) Patience is a human quality that can be strengthened. We already have it but we’re just not always aware of what helps us be patient, what triggers our impatience, or what to do when our patience wears thin.

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 »

Confessions of a Bossy Chef

By Donne Davis | February 5, 2013

My husband says he married me because of my assertiveness in the kitchen. Now he gets irritated when I take control in the kitchen…and he should. I’m bossy in my kitchen.

Read More »

When to Speak Up and When to Bite Your Tongue

By Donne Davis | August 9, 2016

We’ve all heard the grandparent warning: keep your mouth shut and your wallet open as a prescription for preventing inter-generational conflicts. But Jerry Witkovsky, author of The Grandest Love: Inspiring the Grandparent-Grandchild Connection, strongly believes that we’re headed in the wrong direction, as families and as a society, if we embrace the notion that grandparents […]

Read More »

Celebrate National Grandparents Day with GaGa Sisterhood on 9/11

By Donne Davis | September 6, 2022

Celebrate National Grandparents Day on September 11 with GaGa Sisterhood’s speaker, Shirley Showalter, author of “The Mindful Grandparent.”

Read More »

Screen Time Advice from Experts

By Donne Davis | August 28, 2018

Parents and grandparents should help kids balance screen time and also play a role in sharing the joy of screens with our kids. Model the use of technology for creation, discovery, and connection.

Read More »

Grandparents Teach Their Grandkids Social Skills

By Donne Davis | September 30, 2013

Grandparents spend more quality time with their grandchildren than previous generations. In fact, 98 percent of grandchildren learn social skills from their grandparents!

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 »

Bailey by Harry Bliss

By Donne Davis | September 29, 2011

Bailey by Harry Bliss is about a lovable dog’s first day at school. It was a hit with my granddaughters since their dog is also named Bailey and they loved Bliss’s illustrations.

Read More »

Grandparenting During the Pandemic

By Donne Davis | October 12, 2020

Dr. Ken Canfield of Grandkids Matter has been polling grandparents about their feelings and experiences during the pandemic. He shares three behaviors that have been most helpful in keeping perspective during the pandemic.

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 »

Learning to Live in the Moment: Why Not Do It Now?

By Donne Davis | November 3, 2011

Karl Pillemer interviewed older adults for the Legacy Project. The elders said to learn how to live in the moment rather than focusing only on our plans and ambitions.

Read More »

Think Critically Before You Buy Pink

By Donne Davis | October 14, 2010

Think critically when a company claims a portion of their proceeds go to cancer research. Do you know how much money actually goes to research and which organizations get the money?

Read More »

Casting Call for Grandma Thanksgiving Cook-off

By Donne Davis | June 24, 2015

Attention all grandmas who love to cook! A major cable network is on the hunt for a few grandmothers to battle it out in a fun, new Thanksgiving cooking contest.

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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