Bring your video camera and let her know when she spouts off, you'll tape it all and put it on youtube... Of course that may escalate things... A favorite tactic of mine was one I used to watch my old boss do whenever his business partner wen off the deep end. The temperamental one would come in screaming, tossing chairs, etc... my boss would lean back in his chair, fold his hands across his stomach and just smile and stare... wait for a pause, "Are you done yet?"... more yelling... and my boss would just smile and wait for the rage to subside. It was a great way to make it abundantly clear who was in control. If you fight back you're not in control either.

This all assumes that the kids aren't around also... but as far as the finger poking goes, I'd be very tempted to snatch that finger and then very calmly say something to the effect of, "I understand you're upset, but poke me again and I'll break that finger..."

phunkjnky:

This all assumes that the kids aren't around also... but as far as the finger poking goes, I'd be very tempted to snatch that finger and then very calmly say something to the effect of, "I understand you're upset, but poke me again and I'll break that finger..."

Or try the old Krav Maga arm twist, face-to-the-floor move. Keep her pinned until she agrees that she's a cranky old bitch who's jealous of your functioning uterus.

That'll put a stop to it.