Clingy toddler, wants me with her all the time

[mammanl]

I'm a mum of twins aged 2.8. My boy is really laid back and relaxed and my daughter pretty highly strung. She likes to have me by her side all the time at playgroups or when we have playdates. She'll often not go and play with a toy unless I come with her and sit right by her. She doesn't seem very confident. So far I have figured that she still feels a need for my presence so I go along with it and sit with her but I see most kids her age playing on their own and wonder what I can do to encourage her to be more independent - or should I just let her cling until she is ready to go off on her own?

i would say reassure her but try to be a bit 'busy' also sometimes so she has to be independent - my son can be quite clingy but generally if i am deep in conversation or making a drink etc he will get bored of waiting for me and go off on his own.

Let her cling and be there for her then she will become more I dependent and confident in her own time. Pushing her away will make things worse not better IMO

Thanks for responding. I do let her cling as much as she needs to at present. Get a few looks but then...what does that matter. I figure eventually she will go off on her own.