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.

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.

Cheeky Monkey Toys Creates a WOW Experience for the Whole Family

By Donne Davis | February 28, 2012

Can you imagine how fun it would be to work in a toy store? Anna Chow could. That’s why she and her husband bought Cheeky Monkey Toys. It’s not Don’t Touch, but a place where kids can be kids.

Read More »

Take Your Grandchildren to the New California Academy of Sciences

By Donne Davis | November 6, 2008

Visiting the new California Academy of Sciences with your grandchildren

Read More »

Women Who Want to Be Grandmas

By Donne Davis | October 3, 2011

Many 60-something women without grandchildren are dealing with “grandchild envy.” It’s a dilemma more and more parents of adult children face as they wait anxiously for grandchildren.

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 »

52 Ways to Connect with Grandkids

By Donne Davis | April 22, 2020

Mindfulness teaches us it’s not about spoiling our grandchildren; instead, it’s about showing up and modeling good values. It’s focusing on presence above presents.

Read More »

Should Grandma Suggest Parenting Classes?

By Donne Davis | January 31, 2018

I’m a big fan of Amy Dickinson’s advice column “Ask Amy.” My favorite letters involve challenges in the grandparent relationship. In this letter a grandma faces a common dilemma: how to offer parenting advice without offending her grandchildren’s parents. Since she’s a retired educator, her observations seem justified. But does that give her permission to […]

Read More »

4 Fun Books for 4 – 8 Year Olds

By Donne Davis | January 27, 2011

What’s more fun than reading a book to a child when you both love the book. On my last visit to my granddaughters I hit the jackpot with these four winners for 4-8 year olds.

Read More »

Yiddish Yoga Puts a New Twist on an Old Tradition

By Donne Davis | April 7, 2010

Yiddish Yoga is the sweet and funny adventure of a 72-year old grandmother into yoga and reminds us that growing older doesn’t mean we have to stop growing.

Read More »

The Bonfire of Aging—Seven Grandparent Resources to Warm Your Heart

By Donne Davis | June 27, 2022

Here are seven online resources to help you navigate your role as a grandparent.

Read More »

Why Grandparents Matter

By Donne Davis | February 27, 2017

Arthur Kornhaber, M.D., author of The Grandparent Guide, describes 11 roles grandparents play in a family. They’re dynamic and will change and grow as you and your grandchildren do too.

Read More »

Be a Storyteller for Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | September 28, 2021

When we share our stories, we pass on our values, morals, family history, and places we’ve lived. Stories also help our grandchildren define their identity and give them a strong sense of who they are.

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 »

The Value of Sharing Family Stories with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | April 4, 2022

The more children know about their family’s history, the stronger their sense of control over their lives, the higher their self-esteem, and the more successfully they believe their families function.

Read More »

Good Listening Builds Good Relationships

By Donne Davis | July 26, 2021

Listening is vital in building good relationships and navigating the new skills we need to learn how to do.

Read More »

Grandmas Need a Sisterhood

By Donne Davis | August 15, 2016

Just like moms need to get together and talk, grandmas also need to talk to each other about the joys and challenges we face in our multi-generation relationships. Join the GaGa Sisterhood.

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 »

My Dad’s Latke Recipe

By Donne Davis | December 19, 2008

One of the rituals I enjoy most about the Chanukah is frying potato latkes—a tradition I learned from watching my dad prepare them every year for our family Chanukah party.

Read More »

New Grandma’s Biggest Mistake

By Donne Davis | March 2, 2022

As new grandmas, we think our role is all about our new grandchild. We may not realize our children need our love, attention, and appreciation just as much as our grandchild. does

Read More »

Super Grandma Vacation Advice: Pace Yourself

By Donne Davis | July 1, 2010

I was completely drained of energy, when I returned home from an amazing 6-day Girls Getaway in Portland, Oregon with my daughter and granddaughters. The lesson is to conserve your energy.

Read More »

Hooray! I’m Turning into My Mother

By Donne Davis | May 10, 2019

It’s practically universal — both to catch ourselves being ‘just like’ our mothers — and to recoil at the thought. But we can also appreciate our mothers as role models.

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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