Melissa,

It sounds like he is too tied to his mother for approval in order to be an independent, grown man who makes a desirable partner.  Whenever a man tells you that he is unsure about his feelings for you and what he wants out of life then believe him especially if you two been together for 8 months, enough time to know how he would feel about you.

You ask what should you do.  Ask yourself the question on why would you subject yourself and your daughter to a half on/half off relationship with someone who does not want to be in relationship with you?  Ask yourself why would you want as a partner who depends on his mother for approval and life decisions.  Ask yourself why you want to commit to someone who does not have his life together while you are being a fully responsible single parent taking care of yourself and your daughter.

Personally I do not believe being in love as the reason for making a long term commitment for that is the honeymoon, stars-in-your-eyes phase of a relationship.  Mature love is a verb, not a gooey emotion.  You can have the good feelings of the emotion of love but do not make a life from that while ignoring the hard facts of this guy and the situation.

Mark