My wife is an emotionally abusive partner (a few details in this question). Our marriage is likely to end in the next few months, but though I have moved out we have both said that we will work on the marriage (though my wife has not really done so). One of my wife's standard abusive behaviours is the silent treatment.
At present the two of us and our two children (8 yr old girl and 4 yr old boy) are spending time together for a few days. It is night where I live and my wife and I just had an argument, including the usual resort to threats from her side. I know that tomorrow morning she will be in full blown silent treatment mode and may also start to passive aggressively tell the kids "do whatever you want", you decide, etc. which always freaks them out.
When they witness fights, I always ask them later if they are scared, and tell them that we will not be going anywhere, and that it is ok to be scared and sometimes I also get scared, but they'll be all right. However, this time they have not witnessed the fight. I am thinking of telling them anyway. However, they may then ask their mother, who might then try to threaten them into silence (though she generally does not do this) or otherwise tell them that their father is having issues. This places them in a tough position between both parents. But not saying anything leaves them completely unable to understand my wife's passive aggression, which is obviously is very frightening for them.
What would you suggest I should do?
EDIT: I should explain that the "silent treatment" doesn't mean being silent - it means aggressively hostile behaviour, ignoring people when they speak to you, swearing under one's breath, wearing an expression of constant disgust etc.