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.

Are You Having Separation Anxiety During Coronavirus?

By Donne Davis | August 17, 2020

The coronavirus pandemic has upended the daily lives of Americans, and for many of us 70 million grandparents, contact with our young grandchildren has been cut off and we feel adrift.

Read More »

1918 Pandemic Impacted San Francisco Business Women

By Donne Davis | August 24, 2020

Guest author Diane Levinson shares her perspective of the Spanish Flu pandemic that affected her grandmother’s life in 1918. They recognized the importance of wearing masks even when they were dressed “to the nines.”

Read More »

What Was Grandma Thinking?

By Donne Davis | June 3, 2019

Advice columnist, Amy Dickinson gives some sage advice to a daughter-in-law and granddaughter who are dealing with a “loose cannon” of a grandma who’s thoughtless and hurtful.

Read More »

A Tyrannical Mother-In-Law Tale—Indian Style

By Donne Davis | May 7, 2012

In Indian tradition an expectant mother delivers her baby at her mother’s or mother-in-law’s home. A post-partum mom describes her stay with her tyrannical mother-in-law.

Read More »

Have Your Holiday Traditions Changed?

By Donne Davis | December 14, 2018

Many of us feel pressure to maintain family holiday traditions because holidays are infused with expectations. A wise grandma told me we need to get over yearning for the holiday traditions of the past and just accept what is.

Read More »

Meatless Monday Recipe – Tofu Lettuce Cups

By Donne Davis | July 25, 2013

My husband and I started practicing meatless Monday two months ago with encouragement from our two vegetarian granddaughters. I adapted Rose Scott’s winning recipe by omitting the pork.

Read More »

What Do You Want to Preserve for Your Grandchildren?

By Donne Davis | December 5, 2016

Listen to my podcast with author/psychologist Dr. Stephanie Brown describe how the drive for speed is an addiction impacting our culture and our relationships with our grandchildren.

Read More »

When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand, Revisited

By Donne Davis | January 31, 2012

Grandmas face challenges in their relationships with their grandchildren’s parents. At our meeting, we discussed 3 challenges: difficult relationships, hurt feelings, and different parenting methods.

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 »

What Lengths Do You Go to See Your Grandchild?

By Donne Davis | February 9, 2010

Grandparents will go to great lengths to see their grandchildren. Many grandparents drive or fly great distances or make other sacrifices to keep in touch with them.

Read More »

Another Ponytail Donated to Locks of Love

By Donne Davis | July 11, 2009

Daughter donates another ponytail to Locks of Love, an organization that gives wigs to children suffering from hair loss due to alopecia.

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 »

When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand – The Book

By Donne Davis | September 7, 2012

I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my book: When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand: 4 Keys to L.O.V.E. Your Grandchild’s Parents. This book will help you handle parenting and grandparenting challenges.

Read More »

Temperament Helps Understand Children’s Behavior

By Donne Davis | September 26, 2011

“Temperament” is a person’s first and most natural way of responding. Understanding a child’s temperament can help you see his or her unique style more clearly.

Read More »

4 Tips to Appreciate Your Grandkids’ Mom on Mother’s Day

By Donne Davis | May 3, 2022

On Mother’s Day, acknowledge your daughter or daughter-in-law for all the time and energy she’s put into nurturing your grandkids.

Read More »

How to Talk to Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | July 21, 2015

We can teach our grandchildren how to be comfortable in conversation by modeling it for them. Ask open-ended questions to encourage language, creativity, and imagination.

Read More »

Tips for Making Friends as You Age

By Donne Davis | December 4, 2019

Friendship and community are important for our health and happiness. As adults, we require connection with other humans to release certain hormones like oxytocin.

Read More »

Teach Your Grandchildren Manners

By Donne Davis | November 1, 2022

While parents are the first ones to teach children manners, grandparents can reinforce the basics through fun activities.

Read More »

Share the Secrets to a Successful Life with Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | October 1, 2015

Share three secrets to a successful life with your grandchildren to help them discover what they’re good at, what they love and what they value.

Read More »

Managing Expectations in the Grandparent Relationship

By Donne Davis | October 28, 2021

Expectations in the new grandparent relationship are one of the most important conversations to have with the new parents and ideally before they become parents.

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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