P.B.
I speak from experience...it won't last forever but it sure will feel like it. Both of my kids went through this phase around the same age as your son. To the point of their feet never hitting the ground the whole time we were at a party. I became the master of eating meals with one hand!! Both of my girls were especially nervous when we were in large groups of people and would freak out if I put them down. With my oldest I thought it was torture and she might be on my hip forever!!!! With my second I accepted my fate and realized that she was just afraid of being left with someone. The world was much bigger than she could grasp at that age and the only sure and predictable thing was me. My yougest is 2 1/2 now and is off and running without me at family parties. I know it's hard but hang in there and give it time, with maturtity will come greater independence.