Welcome to GaGa Sisterhood

Purchase Our Book
Guide For Grandmas

When Being A Grandma Isn't So Grand

Available for purchase
at these locations
Amazon
ITunes

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 GaGa 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 long 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. Excerpts from some random posts published during the past 20 years appear below. 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.

My Granddaughter Reinforces the Rules

By Donne Davis | March 23, 2009

Grandchildren remind us to follow rules for safe driving and hand washing

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 »

How to Calm Conflict Over Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | November 1, 2016

If you have a challenging relationship with your daughter-in-law, here are a few tips from Honey Good on how to improve your relationship.

Read More »

Three Ways to Be Happier at Home

By Donne Davis | January 28, 2014

Author Gretchen Rubin offers 3 ways to be happier at home: pay attention to your body, get control of your possessions and get to know yourself and what matters most.

Read More »

Grandparents – Let’s Have Our Say!

By Donne Davis | October 1, 2009

At our July GaGa Sisterhood meeting twenty grandmas engaged in a lively discussion that was long overdue: When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand. Fairly early in the conversation one grandma brought up a good point: how come we’re the ones who have to bend over backwards in relationships with our children? What about our […]

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Reaches 10 Year Milestone

By Donne Davis | December 10, 2013

On December 5, 2013, 30 members met to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the GaGa Sisterhood. The ten years have flown by. I feel like a weaver who’s created a magical tapestry.

Read More »

Parents vs. Grandparents: How to Find Balance

By Donne Davis | January 5, 2012

Grandparents are important in children’s lives. The best grandchild/grandparent relationships are those that are encouraged by the parent, who then steps back and lets them unfold.

Read More »

Blue Goo Fun

By Donne Davis | December 26, 2008

Are you up for an art adventure that’s messy but loads of fun and teaches a little science? On one of my summer visits to my granddaughters it was too hot to go

Read More »

This Year I Became a Sports Fan

By Donne Davis | November 4, 2010

I now understand what it means to be a sports fan. When the Giants beat the Phillies and then the Rangers to win the World Series, I watched every game.

Read More »

Interview with Adair Lara

By Donne Davis | May 21, 2009

Adair Lara explains why humor is so important to her and why she chose to write The Granny Diaries from a humorous perspective

Read More »

How to Talk About Feelings with Young Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | November 23, 2020

It’s hard to teach young children about feelings because they’re so abstract. But children who understand their emotions and can express them are less likely to have temper tantrums or show aggression. A child who can say “That hurts my feelings” or I’m mad at you,” will be better equipped to resolve conflict peacefully instead of hitting or whining.

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 »

Online Storytelling Resources

By Donne Davis | September 17, 2010

When I was growing up, I loved listening to my grandmother’s stories. Now I’m carrying on this tradition with the benefit of modern technology.

Read More »

Helping Your Grandchild Understand Alzheimer’s

By Donne Davis | March 20, 2018

Having a loved one with Alzheimer’s affects everyone in the family. The disease can be confusing and scary for children. Reassurance and clear explanations are key to helping children adjust.

Read More »

Grandma Shares Camping Adventure with Granddaughters

By Donne Davis | August 14, 2009

A grandma creates memories for her granddaughters and passes on her tradition of spending summers camping in nature.

Read More »

Solving the Morning Jumble

By Donne Davis | November 5, 2013

For the past 45 years, my husband and I have begun our morning by solving the Jumble — the scrambled word game which appears in our daily newspaper.

Read More »

Get Your Grandchildren’s Thoughts on the Pandemic

By Donne Davis | August 10, 2020

Try this creative family activity to show and tell how you and your grandchildren are feeling during this pandemic.

Read More »

Awesome Summer Activities for Grandparents and Their Grandsons

By Donne Davis | July 3, 2017

Spending time with your grandson this summer is all about being together and building memories. Here’s a list of activities for grandparents and grandsons to do together.

Read More »

Win a Free Nikon COOLPIX S5100 Camera

By Donne Davis | January 6, 2011

The people at Nikon have offered me a Nikon COOLPIX S5100 to give away to a lucky reader. To win, your entry must be submitted by midnight Friday, January 14, 2011.

Read More »

American Grandma Pays for Wounded Afghan Boy’s Education

By Donne Davis | June 2, 2014

Grandma Cindy Barrett saw an NBC Nightly News story featuring 12-year old Obaid, an Afghan boy who lost his two sisters and his two legs in a bombing. She sprang into action to help him.

Read More »

Testimonials

“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

Scroll to Top