How can I validate my four-year-old's feelings while leaving the house?

[MarkHC]

I'm a parent to a strong-willed four-year-old, and our household has fallen into a cycle of constant power struggles and raised voices, which I hate. I want to shift towards more positive parenting techniques that focus on connection and teaching rather than punishment, but I'm struggling with the practical application in the heat of the moment. For example, when he has a meltdown over putting on shoes, how do I effectively validate his feelings while still holding the boundary that we need to leave the house? I'd love to hear specific phrases or strategies that have worked for others.