My partner and I have recently bought a house together, this has involved me relocating down South because he has dependent children (3 x teenagers) from his previous marriage. My partner and his exW have been apart for almost 10-years and we've been together 6-years. I appreciate it will take time for us all to settle into this new life/blended family but I am finding the 'unofficial stepmum' role very difficult. I do have a daughter from my previous marriage who is in her mid twenties. My partner and I live 20 mins from his exW home, I'd have preferred a little more distance but fully appreciate my partner not wanting too big a distance for kid drop offs and pick ups. My partner (and now I) have the kids every Thurs-Sat, so both of us working full-time means we have little to no time away from work without the kids. We have no time for ourselves and the negotiating we have to do with his exW to make any changes, with advanced notice, is hard work. His exW works 2.5 days/week, as a teacher and since we've moved in together we've had the kids Thurs - Sun for 6 weekends out of 8 and the only reason we've not had them for the 2 weekend is because my partner has to work 3 weekends/year and so was working on the 2 weekends, not as if we had anytime together. The only time we have together is Mon-Wed and some Sun afternoons, which my partner sees as quality time because we see each other in the house. His exW is completely controlling and manipulating, my partner is so laid back so does not protect or set strong boundaries. He wants to see his kids, which I understand and we do, but he is not prioritising our relationship. I am the cook, cleaner, and hold down a senior executive position in a global company working full-time but also late into the evening at time. I am questioning my decision to buy a house together or is this just settling in pains? Any advice, previous experience very welcome.