Meet Shirli Ling: The social media influencer and chicken hotpot boss who became a grandmother at 34

Social media is full of messy stories where perfect family tales often hide difficult truths, and amid this, a woman's story stands out through the filters. At just 34, she's stepping into a family role most associate with silver hair and rocking chairs - that of a grandmother.This case exemplifies that life doesn't always follow a dedicated path, especially when building families.But how at such a young age? Shirli Ling, a social media influencer, announced she had become a grandmother at the remarkably young age of 34. It all began as a usual family post on social media, but exploded into a viral conversation when a Singapore-based influencer and restaurateur talked about her unique case online.According to the South China Morning Post, Ling has around 17,000 Instagram followers, who revealed that her 17-year-old son had recently welcomed a baby, marking her entry into grandma territory just as she was hitting her mid-30s.Ling first caught the public eye with her role in the 2022 Singaporean military comedy film Ah Girls Go Army, directed by Jack Neo.Beyond acting, she runs a popular chicken hotpot restaurant and frequently posts about her bustling family life online. A mother of five from three marriages, Ling herself had her first child at 17, which is quite similar to the situation her eldest son now faces. Her kids include the new (now 18-year-old) dad, plus siblings aged 17, 13, 10, and 8.In a humorous Instagram post, Ling joked that she might have "inspired" her son by becoming a mom at the same age, while openly admitting the hurdles ahead. "He will face challenges but has my full backing," she shared, promising to "give him more support" as he steps into parenthood.Photos from her feed show the young couple beaming with their newborn, Ling right there beside them, radiating pride and readiness to guide.She emphasised her hands-on role, saying she plans to advise her son and stay deeply involved in helping him handle the demands of fatherhood. This comes from her own hard-won experience raising five kids through multiple life chapters.Supporters praised the family's unity, with one commenter saying, “As long as the family supports each other, that’s what matters,". Another added, “She became a mum at 17 and raised five kids. I think she knows what she’s doing".Critics expressed shock, like one user who said, “Grandmother at 34 is really shocking,". Others seemed concerned, “I hope the boy understands the responsibility," another wrote.