In most cases where the custody of children is involved, the court provides that one parent has custody and the other parent has rights of reasonable visitation. If you are awarded custody, you are called the custodial parent, and the other parent is call the noncustodial parent. In cases where the court simply awards reasonable visitation, you and your ex-spouse work out satisfactory visitation arrangements. As the custodial parent, you decide whether or not the request for visitation is reasonable.
Some cases are simple.
You do not have to permit visitation every day, at two in the morning, or when the other parent is intoxicated, under the influence of drugs, or doing something that would be harmful to the children. If you and your ex-spouse cannot agree on visitation, the court imposes a schedule that you must follow. The court may also schedule visitation during vacations and holidays such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Father's Day, and Mother's Day. Of course, special circumstances create special schedules. Family traditions on holidays should be honored by both parents.