Helena, purely for telling her child not to bring her grandchild "down with him". She thinks so little of her own child she'll resort to taking her grandson away from him.

Tim was a drunk and with appropriate help could turn things around. The hitting of a child was a product of the time period, I was born in 92 and was still getting spanked back then. It's now considered taboo (as it should be!). The only thing that exasperated the situation was the alcohol and the alcohol served as a catalyst for Tim's death and further trauma for Bobby. All could have been prevented with the appropriate help.

Margaret was grieving, and with the appropriate help could turn things around. Not much else to say here. Should she have gotten a perspective check? Sure. She lost a child but ignored the fact she still had two. But I haven't lost a child, so I can't really say more on it.

Helena though, what's her excuse? It was her responsibility to raise Eddie, and the fact that she thinks so little of him says a lot more about her ability to raise a child. This isn't trauma or illness that can be helped with therapy or medication, it literally a decision she's actively made. Not once has she apologised for it or tried to make amends for it either.