I agree hjbau. I actually think there is an interview with Lana and Robert where they both talk about this at comic con. I think that the difference between a “normal” parent’s motivation and Regina’s motivation is an abnormal fear. Regina’s motivation is all about the fear of not being able to love Henry even though she really wants to. She has a fear of having Henry taken away and a fear of him finding out that she really IS the EQ. So I think that in many ways she actually has a fear of Emma because of the power that she feels she holds over her relationship with Henry. I’m guessing that we are about to find out that she had a delightful role model for a mother as well.
The thing I will say in Regina’s defense with Henry though is, unless I am forgeting an instance, I don’t recall ever seeing her be abusive of him so I don’t know that I would say that she hurts him all the time. I think she is protective of him and from her perspective, understandably so. I don’t think there are many parents who would be very trusting of a biological parent who shows up 10 years after giving birth, moves into town, and suddenly wants to start hanging out with YOUR child all the time (in fact, if it were me I would be heading to my attorney as fast as possible to set up some guidelines). She is a working parent who has rules for what Henry is supposed to do when he is home alone to keep him safe – if he doesn’t follow those rules he is punished. And when Emma does things that she sees as unstable, she keeps Henry away from her. I don’t see that as being controlling – I see that as being a parent. I think that is probably part of the “game” Kitsis and Horowitz have put together with Regina and Henry. From Henry’s point of view those things all help prove his theory that Regina is the Evil Queen – to everyone else, it just proves she’s Mom. Now, with Archie she has shown her true colors, his therapy hasn’t been able to convince Henry that she isn’t the EQ so she threatened him – that was wacked and Archie knows that she obviously does NOT have Henry’s best interests in mind. But, again, I think that is the fear rearing it’s ugly head again.