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 »

The Ultimate Grandparenting Tool-Club Eimmie

By Donne Davis | May 20, 2019

How do you connect with your grandkids and be a positive influence, be looked up to, love and be loved and give gifts that inspire imagination through creative play? Check out Club Eimmie.

Read More »

Does Grandma Have the Right to Spoil?

By Donne Davis | January 22, 2014

The most proliferated grandma stereotype is that grandma’s job is to spoil her grandchildren. Moms really don’t appreciate grandmas who believe spoiling is their job.

Read More »

Be a Go-to Grandparent Whether You’re Near or Far

By Donne Davis | November 20, 2009

Attend my Nov 21, 2009 presentation, “Learn how to be a go-to grandparent whether you’re near or far,” at Temple Beth Am in Los Altos Hills, CA. Everyone welcome.

Read More »

I Remember Grandma Amelia

By Donne Davis | September 23, 2010

September 23 is my grandma Amelia’s birthday. A second generation San Franciscan, she was born in 1893 and lived in the City until she passed away at age 93.

Read More »

5 Must-See Learning Destinations for Solo Travelers

By Donne Davis | September 20, 2016

Though solo travelers choose to set out on independent adventures, they rarely end up going it alone. Check out Road Scholar’s top five destinations for solo travelers.

Read More »

New Year’s Resolutions for Grandmas

By Donne Davis | December 26, 2019

Take some time to reflect on how your life unfolded this year, especially in the context of your role as a grandma. Then set some goals for the New Year as a grandma.

Read More »

Changing Your Routines Is Vital for Your Brain Health

By Donne Davis | August 4, 2022

Choosing to do things that break our routines and therefore challenge our brains will keep our brains healthy as we age.

Read More »

Take a Child Outside Week

By Donne Davis | September 23, 2009

Take a Child Outside Week is a national program to help children understand and appreciate the environment, and build enthusiasm for its exploration.

Read More »

Grandfather of 3 Girls Has Grandson Envy

By Donne Davis | February 1, 2016

My two children have blessed me with three loving, lovely, and talented granddaughters. But, I must confess, sometimes I’m envious of my wife and jealous of grandfathers with grandsons.

Read More »

Strengthen Family Bonds with Stories

By Donne Davis | December 12, 2008

By sharing your stories you help your grandchildren learn who they are and what’s important to their family.

Read More »

Jury Duty vs. Grandma Duty

By Donne Davis | October 26, 2009

“You are hereby ordered to report to jury duty,” read the official summons. I had every intention of serving until my granddaughters came to visit. I got so distracted I completely forgot!

Read More »

The Benefits of Children Learning a Musical Instrument

By Donne Davis | April 17, 2017

Science has shown that when children learn to play music, the parts of their brain that control motor skills, hearing, storing audio information, and memory, actually grow and become more active.

Read More »

Mother, Daughter Bond on Roller Coaster

By Donne Davis | November 18, 2010

Last week my daughter and I rode the Medusa roller coaster at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. As we made our ascent, I thought This is a piece of cake. Then we went into a 150-foot drop.

Read More »

Embracing Our Vulnerability

By Donne Davis | April 30, 2018

As we age, we may feel reluctant to show our vulnerability which feeds into the stereotypes of ageism. Sharing our vulnerability is not weakness; it’s allowing people to see who we are.

Read More »

“Flat Stanley” Inspires Fun Project for Children

By Donne Davis | April 16, 2015

My 8-year old friend invited me to participate in her “Flat Stanley” project by keeping a travel journal with sights and souvenirs from my travels around my town.

Read More »

Optical Illusion Adds New Dimension to Kids’ Coloring

By Donne Davis | December 29, 2009

The package of five morphed fairy drawings and a Morph-O-Scope for viewing the finished colored pages arrived while my six-year-old granddaughter was visiting.

Read More »

Teasing Is Disguised Bullying

By Donne Davis | July 14, 2015

Help your child deal with teasing. The payoffs are significant: safety, self-confidence, resiliency, and the ability to handle difficult or frightening situations

Read More »

Maybelle in the Soup – Tale of a Curious Cockroach

By Donne Davis | August 25, 2009

My granddaughter and I both loved Maybelle in the Soup, a children’s book about a curious little cockroach, who gets into lots of trouble because of her love of food.

Read More »

#1 Rule for Grandmas

By Donne Davis | February 8, 2022

The #1 rule for grandmas is don’t give unsolicited advice. We can quickly get into trouble once we cross into that place of “just wanting to help.” Our adult children don’t appreciate our advice and often feel defensive when they hear it.

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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