OK, so I have a couple of possible suggestions here...
First is, go buy a brick and give it to your W. Instruct her that the moment you enter a conversation with her, she is to throw the brick at your head.
That SHOULD remind you to keep the convo pleasant, or leave... or it should render you unconscious... both of which are positive...
OR...
Go NC with her, except for the kids.
Probably the second option would be a good thing, although the first does hold promise...
I'm really not kidding...
If... in a pleasant and entertaining way... you could introduce a "talking stick" to your W to use in the future... she MIGHT just be thrown off balance enough to be both entertained by the offer... AND... willing to try it...
You never know unless you ask...
and...
if she says no and is not at all entertained by nor receptive of the idea...
