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.

10 Tips for Long-Distance Grandmas

By Donne Davis | March 7, 2013

Half of all grandparents in America live more than 200 miles from their grandchildren. Here are some tips for long-distance grandmas from “The Grammie Guide.”

Read More »

Whose Home for the Holidays?

By Donne Davis | December 3, 2009

Where will you and your family spend the holidays? Who will be there and who will decide the answers to these questions? Successful celebrations will require group planning.

Read More »

When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand

By Donne Davis | July 17, 2009

Grandmas get to vent at the GaGa Sisterhood meeting. They share many similar challenges in their relationships with the parents of their grandchildren.

Read More »

Disciplining Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | February 20, 2009

I admit it—I’ve never been good at disciplining kids. As a parent, I was a pushover and if I had to do it over again, I’d try much harder to be consistent and stricter.

Read More »

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 »

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 »

8 Insights for Balanced Living

By Donne Davis | August 26, 2010

How do you stay grounded and not allow yourself to get caught up in the chaos and uncertainty that seems to surround us these days? Renee Trudeau offers 8 insights for finding balance in your life.

Read More »

Being the “Other” Grandma Is No Fun

By Donne Davis | December 14, 2010

I’ve heard many grandmas say they sometimes feel a need to compete with the “other” grandma for the best presents or the coolest vacation or the best storyteller.

Read More »

Getting the Most Out of Your Disneyland Visit

By Donne Davis | May 13, 2015

Disneyland can be the happiest place on Earth, but to make the most out of your visit do some research and planning before you go.

Read More »

Discovering Motherhood

By Donne Davis | July 5, 2011

After my daughter was born, I became aware of what my mother meant for my daughter. Often I longed for only one thing: to bring my mother and daughter together.

Read More »

How to Announce Your Pregnancy to Grandparents

By Donne Davis | October 9, 2014

A reader sent me this cute You Tube video of a “Surprise Baby Announcement” for the new grandparents to be. It’s the most creative one I’ve ever seen.

Read More »

How Do Your Children Parent?

By Donne Davis | September 29, 2017

Author Alison Gopnik asks: should parents be “carpenters” and focus their energy on trying to build their kids to be particular kinds of adults or “gardeners,” and create a protected, nurturing space that gives children the freedom to play and explore.

Read More »

New Grandma Overwhelmed by Emotions

By Donne Davis | April 26, 2021

A new grandma asked me for some suggestions to alleviate her overwhelming emotions for her new grandchild. She feels embarrassed to tell her friends that she cries whenever she thinks of her new grandchild.

Read More »

Does Being Busy Make You Happy?

By Donne Davis | March 8, 2011

Busy has become synonymous with motherhood. But does being busy make you happy? One significant cause of increased unhappiness among mothers is that they are too busy.

Read More »

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 »

When Children Spell

By Donne Davis | February 9, 2009

From the time Juliet was a toddler she’s always been keenly observant. Even when you don’t think she’s listening and understanding, she is. And when she doesn’t understand what’s going on, she’ll ask: What are you talking about? When my daughter doesn’t want Juliet to know what we’re talking about, she uses the age-old trick of spelling a few keys words, for example: Have you decided on a G-I-F-T for her B-I-R-T-H-D-A-Y?

Read More »

Grandma Garbas Didn’t Fit the Mold

By Donne Davis | January 26, 2012

When I hear the word grandma, I don’t picture a rosy-cheeked, sweet, little, white-haired lady. My mind conjures a devilish grin and hands wrapped around a glass of rye.

Read More »

When Grandparents Are Estranged From Their Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | July 23, 2020

At heart, estrangement from grandchildren reflects estrangement from adult children, the gatekeeper middle generation that can promote or deny access.

Read More »

Celebrating the Life of a GaGa Sister

By Donne Davis | August 29, 2017

My devoted GaGa Sister, Janada Clark, passed away on April 26, 2017, at the age of 68 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Janada was a parent educator, author, and beloved grandma.

Read More »

Rekindling Friendships After Loss

By Donne Davis | October 17, 2018

As we age, making time for friends can get interrupted by other more pressing priorities — aging parents, young grandchildren, and ill spouses. But friends are essential for our health and well-being.

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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