HGTV Star Nicole Curtis Says Son Was 'Ripped' From Her Arms On Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Day was not spent the way Nicole Curtis expected when she was separated from her three-year-old son, Harper, because of a strict custody arrangement and the Rehab Addict star opened up about the experience to PEOPLE. 

"The holidays are a nightmare because I would have all of us together — friends, family, enemies alike," the 42-year-old HGTV star said in reference to her ex, Shane Maguire. "Thanksgiving was not my parenting time; therefore, I could not be with Harper."

To make matters even more stressful, Harper suddenly became sick right before the holiday and Curtis said that she refused to transfer him when he was vomiting. "Even on the worst day, my ex is encouraged and welcomed in our home," she continued. "We recently all went trick-or-treating together, even though it was 'my parenting time,' I always hope that the same courtesy will be extended, but it is not. I am not permitted to be with Harper during his time with his dad."

"I can't express in words what it feels like looking at your sick baby and being told that a 'parenting time' schedule trumps their wellbeing. I woke up Thanksgiving morning and thanked God that I was able to have that time with him," she said. "I arrived at the airport and literally had my baby ripped out of my arms and whisked away as I was 'screwing up' Thanksgiving plans. The cycle never ends."

Back in July, Maguire filed for sole custody of Harper, claiming Curtis was "not a fit" mother. He later dropped the request. The pair recently reached a custody agreement after years of battling it out in court.

Meanwhile, Curtis also shared a black-and-white photo of her, Harper and her oldest son, Ethan, who she shares with ex Steven Cimini, on Instagram. "I've been asked what my Thanksgiving plans are and receive horrified looks when I say, 'Nothing,'" she captioned the shot. "Of course every bone in my body yearns to cook, entertain and stuff myself full of Gram's pie recipe that I never will get just right — but like so many others, we are trapped in the fd[sic] world of 'not your parenting time.'"

"If you are the parent that refuses to allow your child the joy of having both parents in the same room (sans abusive/dangerous situation) —buck up -it's not about you. Gave someone that talk yesterday -got me nowhere, but no one ever said I wasn't persistent," she continued.

Photo: Getty Images