I can tell you from my perspective, you are probably playing, "well if she is pissed and not talking to me; I am not going to talk to her." And you go into a defensive posture, being short, arguing over likely unimportant issues, allowing yourself to be in a negative mood because of her negative mood.
Break the cycle. When you feel tensions begin to escalate, think about what your immediate reaction would be, then instead of acting reflexively, stop and think what you might do differently.
Ask questions, and ready, you know it is coming, LISTEN.
