Custody and visitation are the traditional words used to describe parenting during and after the divorce. These words sound unpleasant and inappropriate for talking about raising children. The word “custody” carries the connotation of ownership or incarceration, and “visitation” is what you do at a funeral home. Nevertheless, these are the words found in the statutes across the nation. Try to think of these as legal terms that simply provide guidelines about how you and your spouse will share your children once you are no longer living as one family.