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.

Tea for Flu: A Few Favorite Home Remedies

By Donne Davis | August 12, 2010

I’ve received three favorite home remedies for helping me get over my cold and cough: anti-flu tea, cough syrup made with Jello and lemon ginger tea.

Read More »

Great-Grandparents Are Booming

By Donne Davis | July 23, 2019

Boomer grandparents are living in a kind of sweet spot that makes us likely to become great-grandparents given our longer, healthier life spans.

Read More »

How to Use a Family Meeting as a Discipline Tool

By Donne Davis | September 17, 2012

Many of the skills children need to regulate their behavior and navigate the challenges they face every day are taught and practiced in the family meeting.

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When Adults Tease Children Everyone Loses

By Donne Davis | September 19, 2017

When adults tease children who do not know how to respond, teasing can be very harmful. Talk about how it makes the child feel and ask the teaser to apologize.

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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.

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Kids Can Explore the Outdoors with Curiosity Cards

By Donne Davis | May 20, 2010

Curiosity Cards from Rebeccaplants are a wonderful tool to enjoy the outdoors with children. These round laminated cards contain 50 questions to stimulate their imagination.

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Homeschool Conference Debunks Homeschooling Misconceptions

By Donne Davis | August 12, 2011

This new school year got off to a fantastic start with a Homeschool Conference in Sacramento, CA. As a grandma, I had the privilege of attending the conference.

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Savory Turkey Soup Made From Thanksgiving Leftovers

By Donne Davis | November 27, 2010

Most people think the best part of hosting Thanksgiving is having leftovers the next day. For me it’s having savory turkey soup made from Thanksgiving leftovers.

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Do You Lose Sleep Worrying About Your Grown Children?

By Donne Davis | September 26, 2017

According to a recent study, many older adults with grown children still feel the same stress now as they did when their children were young and it’s normal to feel that way.

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Do You Play Favorites With Your Grandchildren?

By Donne Davis | August 7, 2014

As grandmas, it’s important that we don’t favor one grandchild over another because it can have long-lasting effects on both the favored and the less favored child.

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When Family Members Disagree About Religion or Politics

By Donne Davis | March 16, 2020

As our country becomes more polarized and volatile, families are having painful disagreements about politics or religion. Learn three ways to rebuild peace and family closeness in 2020.

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Louise Aronson Is Reprogramming Our Biases Against Old Age

By Donne Davis | September 23, 2019

Studies have shown that as we get older, we have greater life satisfaction, less anxiety and more happiness. Yet, we don’t tell that story or use that power to counteract negative stereotypes.

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Reporting for Doodie: A Grandma’s Tour of Duty

By Donne Davis | March 18, 2010

J.L. (Judy) Smith became the sole caregiver for her three-year old grandson, Marcus, when his mom and dad were both deployed in the U.S. Military. Smith’s tour of “doodie” was six months, one week, three days, and seven hours long. Reporting for Doodie is her humorous, honest, poignant, and irreverent account of that period.

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Kids’ Imaginations Take Off with Cardboard Cartons

By Donne Davis | October 5, 2009

San Jose Children’s Discovery Museum made a big hit with their recent Box City exhibit of large empty cardboard boxes, reminding parents that kids can have fun without fancy toys.

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.

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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.

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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.

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Grandchildren Grow Up Too Quickly

By Donne Davis | February 5, 2010

It’s hard to let go of rituals we enjoyed when our grandchildren were little; we want to hold on to those precious connections, as if that will help stop time.

Read More »

Multigenerational Living: A Guide For Success

By Donne Davis | June 2, 2010

Three generations living together under one roof is a growing trend. Together Again by Sharon Niederhaus and John Graham is a comprehensive guide to understanding the benefits, practicalities, and challenges of multigenerational living.

Read More »

How Not to Sweat the Small Stuff with Your DIL

By Donne Davis | August 6, 2018

If you face an unpleasant situation with your daughter-in-law, don’t stew about it. Try moving beyond your feelings, and use these four tips to stop sweating the small stuff!

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

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