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@justjules: I'm sure you'll get varying responses, but I think a lot of this comes down to you, what kind of parent you want to be, and your child's personality.

Like, are you into attachment parenting, or gentle parenting, or REI parenting, or traditional parenting or something else? How comfortable are you with tears/distress?

For me--I feel like 80% of this is the child's personality. My first has always been good at independent play and still is. When I only had 1 kid, I think I used to give myself a lot of mental pats on the back for how well I "taught" her how to play independently. Ha. Ha. And then I had a second kid who is now 17 months old and still doesn't want to play independently for more than 3 seconds, is a stage 5 clinger, will hold my leg and wail if I can't hold her while doing something like cutting raw chicken, and only wants to be held 24/7 while being a chunky 25 lbs. And who throws epic, epic tantrums several times daily when she doesn't get what she wants. So the joke is on me.

My parenting isn't different--if anything, kid 2 has had even LESS attention from me from birth onwards. But their personalities are just different. I aspire to be a gentleISH/attachmentISH parent. If my kids need me, physically or emotionally, I want to be there for them. But I said 'ish' because I have my limits and my limit is that things have to happen in my life--I have to work, keep a fairly clean house, cook dinners, do chores, etc. And so if I can't soothe a kid in 5-10 minutes, then I go back to doing what needs to be done and they can follow along clinging to my leg and crying, and I don't really feel guilty about that.

Do you take your toddler out to playgroup or lesson time at the library or anything like that? I've found that those sorts of activities are great for encouraging independent play and they'll also be a lifesaver once your second arrives!

My DD is the same age as your LO. I'm home with her 3 days a week. She's really good at independent play. I'm sure some of it is personality. Here's what we do. I really like the RIE concept of a safe/yes space and for us that's the living room. I have it completely gated off and baby proofed. I know while she's in the living room she's safe and I don't have to keep an eye on her, tell her no, constantly redirect, etc. Most of her toys are in here, her anywhere chair, some puzzles, and some books. She'll happily play while I do other things. Sometimes she brings me a toy and wants me to play with her. When she asks I do try to make time, since it's not constant. There are times where I'm on the couch on my phone or reading a book while she's playing in the same room. Sure, it's indulgent. That doesn't bother me though. I think they have to practice playing independently and then work up to doing it longer stretches.

I should probably add that I'm not sitting on the couch ignoring my child all day. On Tuesdays we go to story time, then run errands and have lunch out. Either Wednesday or Friday we have a play date or attend an activity with a local meet up group. Monday and Thursday I'm at work so she's in a Mother's Day Out program. We really just have one day a week that we spend at home.

I definitely think that it is partially learned and partially personality. My first was terrible at playing by himself forever even though I regularly tried to ignore him and do some housework. My second is only 7 months old but will play by himself pretty happily for 20 minutes or more.

As I got more pregnant I would tell my kid to play by himself for a little while as I rested on the couch. He started to do better at it the more I did it, but he was also older than your son is. I think it is OK for him to learn it now, but will get easier as he gets older. Either creating 'yes' spaces or having baskets with toys for him in each room will help facilitate independent play.

My three are all pretty good at independent play. I can cook a meal and empty the dishwasher without them needed me.
I just make sure they're set up with things that hold their interest. A little neglect I guess but my big girl (4y) will play by herself all day if I don't intervene.
Mine are close in age 12 months apart and 23 months apart.

My daughter tends toward being a clingy child. I've found that he ability to play independently goes in phases, sometimes she's great at it and sometimes (like right now) she's terrible at it. It helps if I rearrange and rotate her toys when she's struggling. I also set up "invitations to play" best places I'll be working. So if I need to fold laundry in my room I'll put a baby doll and blanket in my room for her to come across or I'll set out stickers and paper in the kitchen for when I need to cook dinner. It isn't a perfect system but it helps.