should i settle for custody if i know im not getting joint?

If you are repeatedly losing in court, I think you need to take stock of your life, and the direction it is taking.

Review the reasons you're being denied custody - do you have a substance abuse problem, or a criminal record, or employment problems, or unresolved psychiatric health problems? This are all things that you can take steps to fix, which may help you gain more access to your children.

Or, is the court refusing you more access because of previous abuse/neglect of your children? If that's the issue, you have a long, hard road ahead of you.

I would suggest you make the most of your supervised visits, to have fun with your kids, and to help prove to the court that you're capable of following the rules. Deal with the reasons your access has been limited, and try to make a good life for yourself. You shouldn't 'give up' on getting more access to the kids, and hopefully forging better relationships with them, but you need to be realistic about what you can accomplish.

Just know that if you settle now, the possibility of getting full back down the road if you want it is slim. :( But if you are losing, he must have some dirt on you that is helping him win his case...