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.

Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie

By Donne Davis | April 13, 2009

My 6-year old granddaughter laughed out loud over the little girl who keeps changing back and forth from Sourpuss to Sweetie Pie.

Read More »

Successful Parent-Grandparent Relationships in Two Words

By Donne Davis | February 8, 2021

If you want to be a welcomed and successful grandparent, practice zipping it. Yes, granted, you have lots of experience, and yes, you have what many would consider wisdom, but until such time as you are invited to share your experience and wisdom, Zip it.

Read More »

When Plans Fall Apart

By Donne Davis | February 27, 2019

When we face our setbacks and plans that fall apart with resilience and grace, it’s an important measure of our worth as individuals.

Read More »

Boost Your Self-Esteem – Tell Yourself You’re Awesome

By Donne Davis | June 19, 2013

Why are we so hard on ourselves instead of having high self-esteem like our young grandchildren? We need to realize that our Inner Critic is a Big Fat Liar.

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Ezine Receives All Star Award

By Donne Davis | March 9, 2010

The GaGazine, the monthly online GaGa Sisterhood newsletter, has been named a 2009 Constant Contact All Star. This distinction is awarded to Constant Contact business partners in recognition of effective use of email marketing and continued commitment to following best practices.

Read More »

Setting Boundaries with Entitled Adult Children

By Donne Davis | October 6, 2022

When we set boundaries by stating our own needs to our adult children, we model self-respect and inner strength for them.

Read More »

Are Your Children or Grandchildren More Tech-Addicted?

By Donne Davis | January 9, 2017

Most parents try their best to set rules and limits about the use of tech devices for their children but they also realize they’re not setting a very good example with their own use.

Read More »

Why Do Grandmothers Exist?

By Donne Davis | February 12, 2013

I participated in a in a Huff Post Live panel with Judith Shulevitz to discuss her New Republic article: Why Do Grandmothers Exist? Solving an evolutionary mystery.

Read More »

Confessions of a Selfish Grandma

By Donne Davis | October 28, 2019

When this grandma turned 60, she asked herself: what’s in my control, and forthcoming in my life to make me fuller, complete, happy and satisfied? To answer the question, she had to dig deep and look inside herself.

Read More »

Remembering Marilyn on Her Birthday

By Donne Davis | April 2, 2014

After my best friend died, I invited ten of her closest friends and her three daughters to a “Remembering Marilyn on Her Birthday” gathering. What better day to gather than on her birthday.

Read More »

More on Phoning Your Mother

By Donne Davis | April 4, 2009

Judging from Dr. Laura’s comment on my original post, it sounds like she must get a lot of complaints from men who feel envious of the bond that women have with their mothers. I agree with Dr. Laura that it’s not a good idea for wives to share marital intimacies and problems with their mothers. […]

Read More »

Enjoy Every Sandwich Teaches Gratitude for Life

By Donne Davis | February 3, 2012

When Dr. Lee Lipsenthal was diagnosed with esophageal cancer, he wrote his thoughts about healing the fear of death. In this book, Lipsenthal shared his journey of transcending his fear.

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 »

It’s Either Her or Me: Navigating the Mother and Daughter-in-Law Relationship

By Donne Davis | August 6, 2010

It’s Either Her or Me by Ellie Slott Fisher is an entertaining and enlightening examination of all the relationships and interactions that can occur after a young man introduces his first girl friend, significant other or wife to his mother.

Read More »

Finding Hope & Staying Sane During the Pandemic [Part 1]

By Donne Davis | June 16, 2020

Psychotherapist Karen Gould, LMFT, explains why we’re feeling so anxious during the pandemic and provides some tools for reducing our anxiety.

Read More »

Wright on Time Book Review

By Donne Davis | September 24, 2012

This review was written by my nine-year old granddaughter, Juliet, a voracious reader who devours about four books a day. When she’s not reading, she rides horses, plays piano, creates art, and recently got her ears pierced.

Read More »

7 Conversation Tips for Connecting with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | January 25, 2021

Being able to carry on a conversation is an important life skill for our grandchildren to master in their relationships and careers. We can give them opportunities to practice good communication as well as be their role models.

Read More »

Don’t Call Me Grandma

By Donne Davis | June 21, 2011

Grandmas don’t want to be called a name that makes them sound old because age is not something our contemporary culture celebrates.

Read More »

Word Puzzles Are Good for Your Brain and Your Grandchild’s too

By Donne Davis | January 19, 2023

Help your grandchild reinforce spelling, boost memory, extend vocabulary, and encourage problem-solving by playing word puzzles together.

Read More »

Be a Hero – Donate Blood

By Donne Davis | January 31, 2011

January is National Blood Donor Month. But your blood donation is welcome any month! You don’t have to rescue someone from a burning building to be a hero.

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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