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.

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 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.

GaGa Sisterhood Participating at the New Mom Fair

By Donne Davis | October 16, 2009

We are participating at The New Mom Fair this year on Sunday, October 18th, 2009 from 11am-3pm at the Beresford Community Center and Park located at 2720 Alameda de Las Pulgas in San Mateo, CA 94403. The New Mom Fair is a FREE event open to the public. Brought to you by The New Mom, Parenting on the Peninsula, and Bay Area Birth Information, the focus of the fair is to expose you to all of the health options available to you within your local community.

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Going Gray: A Milestone for Women of a Certain Age

By Donne Davis | April 23, 2012

One of the biggest decisions aging women face is whether or not to hide our grey hair. Recently, journalist Ysabel Duron addressed this question in a radio conversation.

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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.

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What Grandmas Want from Moms

By Donne Davis | November 7, 2016

We grandmas are not trying to take over your role as parents. We just want to be part of the team and support you in all the hard work you do to raise the grandchildren.

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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.

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6 Skills to Strengthen in 2021

By Donne Davis | January 4, 2021

When we’re conscious of our thoughts and actions, we’re able to make sounder decisions, build stronger relationships, and communicate more effectively. These six skills will help us to be our best grandma selves as we face new challenges.

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When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand – The Book

By Donne Davis | September 7, 2012

I’m thrilled to announce the publication of my book: When Being a Grandma Isn’t So Grand: 4 Keys to L.O.V.E. Your Grandchild’s Parents. This book will help you handle parenting and grandparenting challenges.

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Grandparents Connect Kids to the Past

By Donne Davis | January 11, 2016

Grandparents connect the kids to the past, who they really are, where they have come from, and what’s inside. Kids then pick up the essence of who we are.

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Parenting Grandkids: A Tale of Tangled Love Stories

By Donne Davis | November 1, 2017

Raising grandkids is hard. Author Joan Callander Dingle adopted her grandson and walked through the emotional, legal and behavioral problems then used her experience to help other grandparents raising grandchildren.

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Stay Connected to Away-College Grandkids

By Donne Davis | February 2, 2022

Author Karen Rancourt, Ph.D. suggests how grandparents can have a presence in the lives of their away-at-college grandchildren without being intrusive or overbearing.

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Homemade Love on Grandparents Day September 8, 2013

By Donne Davis | September 2, 2013

One purpose of Grandparents Day is to honor grandparents. Here are some creative ideas that grandchildren can do to show their love and appreciation for their grandparents.

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4 Reasons Grandmas Act Differently with Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | July 12, 2021

There are four good reasons why we grandmas seem to have a much easier time loving our grandchildren than our children.

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Bronze Medal Winner

By Donne Davis | August 29, 2008

One of our GaGa’s granddaughters is a track champion

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Grandma’s Candy Dish Brings Back Sweet Memories

By Donne Davis | July 3, 2009

Savoring penny candy with my grandmother at the Saturday matinees led to my lifetime of sweet pleasures

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5 Must-Have Resources for the Self-employed

By Donne Davis | September 27, 2017

Baby boomers are rethinking retirement in favor of ‘Encore Careers’ working for themselves. Here are just five of the many must-have resources available for your “second act.”

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The Clintons Embrace Their Role as Grandparents

By Donne Davis | September 29, 2014

I’m excited for Hilary and Bill Clinton. It’s going to be so much fun to watch them as they embrace their new role as grandparents.

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Celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Kitchen

By Donne Davis | January 1, 2009

Spending New Year’s Eve cooking a gourmet dinner and reviewing the year.

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Help Your Grandkids Improve Their Reading Skills

By Donne Davis | September 9, 2019

When you’re spending time with your grandkids, be sure to carve out some time for reading. Bring a few books with you every time you visit and invite them to do some reading with you.

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Ask Amy Is Too Soft on Toxic Grandma

By Donne Davis | April 24, 2013

Ask Amy offers advice to a young mom on how to handle her mother who is fat-phobic and may be passing on her eating disorder to her 14-month old granddaughter.

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The Zen of Grandmotherhood

By Donne Davis | March 4, 2010

I’ve noticed that since I’ve become a grandmother, I’m able to achieve moments of Zen when I’m with my two granddaughters. I’m talking about those perfectly blissful moments when I’m totally oblivious to everything but my grandchild and the activity we’re engaged in.

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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