Welcome to GaGa Sisterhood

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Guide For Grandmas

When Being A Grandma Isn't So Grand

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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 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.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs Wins Rave Reviews

By Donne Davis | March 6, 2009

Review of popular childrens book “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.”

Read More »

Partner With Parents to Build Strong Connections with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | March 1, 2021

If you’re a long-distance grandma who wants to have a strong and fun connection with your grandchildren, you need to partner with their parents to help strengthen that relationship.

Read More »

Downsize and Organize for the New Year

By Donne Davis | January 14, 2015

We grandmas can do our adult children a big favor by downsizing our possessions while we still have the mental and physical energy instead of leaving the responsibility to them.

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 »

Sheryl Sandberg’s Option B Inspires Hope

By Donne Davis | May 16, 2017

Sheryl took a devastating personal tragedy, the sudden death of her husband, and shared it as a way to give hope to others who have suffered a loss.

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 »

Be There Bedtime Stories for Families That Are Far Apart

By Donne Davis | July 14, 2011

Be There Bedtime Stories is webcam storytelling for families that are far apart. It’s one of the easiest online technologies I’ve ever tried with 3 user-friendly steps.

Read More »

Awesome Grandmother Is Raising Her Grandson

By Donne Davis | August 22, 2017

When author Debra Bowman’s son, Zachary, died in an auto accident April 24, 2014, she and her husband not only got heartache and grief, they got his 18-month old son, Anthony.

Read More »

Parents and Grandparents Need Each Other

By Donne Davis | June 27, 2016

Parents and grandparents need each other. We need each other because we can give the parents a break and they can give us what we want most — time alone with our grandchildren.

Read More »

10 Reasons Grandparents Get Mad at Grandkids

By Donne Davis | April 2, 2012

Moms, aside from you, no one loves your kids more than their grandparents. They just can’t get enough of their little blessings – spoiling and doting on them incessantly, right?

Read More »

When Family Members Disagree About Religion or Politics

By Donne Davis | March 16, 2020

As our country becomes more polarized and volatile, families are having painful disagreements about politics or religion. Learn three ways to rebuild peace and family closeness in 2020.

Read More »

Grandmas Who Juggle Multiple Sets of Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | June 13, 2014

How do grandmothers divide themselves among multiple sets of grandchildren? Last week, while my two granddaughters were staying with us, my third granddaughter was born.

Read More »

GaGa Sisterhood Featured on Ask Dr. Business (VIDEO)

By Donne Davis | March 2, 2010

Donne Davis was featured on Ask Dr. Business, a cable tv show hosted by Roy Blitzer at the Media Center in Palo Alto, CA. focusing on how to make work more satisfying.

Read More »

Limiting Children’s Cell Phone Use

By Donne Davis | November 18, 2014

Smart phones and technology are a tremendous asset to our lives, but overuse can take away from real world experiences like reading and being outdoors. How do you limit use without conflict?

Read More »

Grandma Has Head Lice. Say What?!

By Donne Davis | May 5, 2015

No one in my family has ever had head lice. At least not until last week, when my hairstylist finally diagnosed the cause of my intensely itchy scalp.

Read More »

Cold Weather Activities For Children

By Donne Davis | December 23, 2010

I just read about a fun winter activity to do with your grandchildren—track the temperature where you live. The idea comes from Rebecca Cohen, founder of Rebecca Plants.

Read More »

Yoga with Our Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | September 26, 2008

A year ago Jackie Long invited me to participate in making a DVD called Yoga With Your Baby. My daughter, two granddaughters, and I joined several other families for a weekend last fall to make the video.
The DVD is now available and it’s beautiful.

Read More »

Memorable But Regrettable Grandma Blunders

By Donne Davis | February 21, 2012

We grandmas always try to do the right thing. But sometimes, despite our best intentions, we mess up and our grandchildren never let us forget it.

Read More »

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 »

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 »

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

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