The present study focuses on informal social networks and the people who give parental support to at-risk mothers (i.e., mothers who display at least two of the following risk factors : low SES, low education, and under 21 years at the birth of their first child). A sample of 49 such mothers, who had children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, participated in semi structured interviews. The group was then matched with a group of low risk mothers (n = 43). Results present mothers' perspectives on the people in their social network they see as being most helpful or most stressful, as far as parenting is concerned. They also describe the roles played by key members of their immediate environment (maternal grandmothers, spouse or ex-spouse). Practical guidelines towards a network-oriented approach in parental support are outlined.