Elana — first — you are
doing a good job second — at 9 months your bubba is learning about
object permanence — if he fusses when you leave the room — he is developmentally right on track don't worry — it doesn't last — and is actually a good sign — it signals that he is well attached to you — which is highly desirable in terms of raising happy well adjusted children that are willing to explore their world He isn't to young for independent play — It just might be for a little while that it happens while he can see you As he chooses to — allow him to move himself out of your sight (somewhere safe of course) i.e around the edge of a couch, through a door way etc — playing disappearing and reappearing games like peek - a-boo and hiding things under boxes / blankets for him to «find» etc is good too as time goes on — he will learn that things re-appear when they disappear