Custody schedule is destroying my weekday relationship with my kids

Got them every other weekend and I feel like I'm not really their dad anymore. By the time Friday rolls around I'm making up for lost time instead of just being normal with them. My ex won't budge on weeknight custody even though I asked about getting them one night a week. Has anyone dealt with this? Lawyer says I could push for more but I don't want to drag the kids through court again.