Welcome to GaGa Sisterhood

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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.

1918 Pandemic Impacted San Francisco Business Women

By Donne Davis | August 24, 2020

Guest author Diane Levinson shares her perspective of the Spanish Flu pandemic that affected her grandmother’s life in 1918. They recognized the importance of wearing masks even when they were dressed “to the nines.”

Read More »

Reflections from a First Time Grandpa

By Donne Davis | July 15, 2019

The first time Joel Poznansky held his new granddaughter in his arms, he was overcome by a feeling he’d never before experienced – especially compared to his feelings when he became a parent.

Read More »

GRAND Magazine’s 2011 Grandparents of the Year

By Donne Davis | September 9, 2011

GRAND Magazine has announced this year’s winners and 10 finalists of their 2011 GRANDparent of the Year contest. Mike and Nancy Conley are the 2011 GRANDparents of the Year.

Read More »

10 Tips for Avoiding Post-Holiday Blues

By Donne Davis | December 1, 2008

This past Thanksgiving, after I hugged and kissed my daughter and two granddaughters, I stood at the curb waving goodbye. I could feel the letdown creeping over me.

Read More »

Improv Nurtures Imagination in Grandchildren

By Donne Davis | October 21, 2014

Human beings are improvisers by nature and children improvise all day long. Improv is an excellent way to nurture imagination in your grandchildren.

Read More »

Teasing Is Disguised Bullying

By Donne Davis | July 14, 2015

Help your child deal with teasing. The payoffs are significant: safety, self-confidence, resiliency, and the ability to handle difficult or frightening situations

Read More »

Help Your Grandchild Enjoy Nature

By Donne Davis | July 15, 2009

Grandparents can help grandchildren enjoy nature with resources and activities suggested on Green Hour’s website

Read More »

Learn to Forgive for Good

By Donne Davis | November 11, 2013

Dr. Fred Luskin’s very readable book will help you understand why we hold onto our grievance stories, why we blame others, and how we can learn to forgive for good.

Read More »

When Grandmas Take on Too Much

By Donne Davis | August 13, 2014

I confess to being an overachiever for most of my adult life. I bring that same mindset to being a grandma and sometimes it gets me into trouble because I take on too much.

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Competing with the “Other” Grandmother

By Donne Davis | January 27, 2009

Natural rivalry between grandmothers happens, but our grandchildren need all the love they can get.

Read More »

Beautiful Bubble Brew Recipe

By Donne Davis | May 18, 2011

I always find lots of great ideas in “GrandLoving.” On my last visit to my granddaughters I brought a large container of “beautiful bubble brew” that I found in the book.

Read More »

Share the Secrets to a Successful Life with Your Grandchild

By Donne Davis | October 1, 2015

Share three secrets to a successful life with your grandchildren to help them discover what they’re good at, what they love and what they value.

Read More »

Have Your Holiday Traditions Changed?

By Donne Davis | December 14, 2018

Many of us feel pressure to maintain family holiday traditions because holidays are infused with expectations. A wise grandma told me we need to get over yearning for the holiday traditions of the past and just accept what is.

Read More »

Vote For Favorite Grandparent Blog & Book

By Donne Davis | February 19, 2013

Vote in the About.com Readers’ Choice competition for GaGa Sisterhood as Favorite Grandparenting Blog and Paola Gianturco’s book, Grandmother Power, as Favorite Book.

Read More »

Living in Messy Is Better

By Donne Davis | February 22, 2021

Those of us who best learn how to live in “messy” get to live the most peaceful, fun, and fruitful lives.

Read More »

Help Your Grandchild Develop Speech-Language

By Donne Davis | March 22, 2021

You can play an important role in helping your grandchild develop speech and language by reading, singing, cooking, and simply playing together.

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 »

Boomer Grandparents Play Mom and Dad Part-time

By Donne Davis | April 4, 2016

Lesley Stahl reports on the growing role of “granny nannies” who are helping to raise their grandchildren, partly because childcare is expensive and grandparents really want to be there.

Read More »

Grandmother and Granddaughter Showcase Wonder Girls

By Donne Davis | September 27, 2018

Photojournalist Paola Gianturco and her 11-year old granddaughter, Alex Sangster co-authored “Wonder Girls: Changing Our World” to showcase activist girls, age 10 to 18, who are improving their communities.

Read More »

On Grandparents Day Not Every Grandma Can Be GaGa

By Donne Davis | September 10, 2017

Over the years, I’ve learned that every grandma’s experience is uniquely her own and not every grandma can be gaga for her grandchildren.

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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