OP - I have not read all of the above responses and apologize up front if I repeat something that has already been said.
I'm going thru a simular situation. Here is how I've handled my issues with me ex.
I cut all communication with him via telephone and will only communicate with him via email. I started this six months ago and it works! Ex has remarried and considering the fact that I REFUSE to talk to him via telephone he REFUSES to put anything in writing via email (he know's what he was doing and saying to me via telephone, he wouldn't dare put in writing - he knows the courts will slam him).
Harassment and verbal abuse has stopped! Now he's just angry with me -- O I don't CARE! My only concern are DD and DS. To boot I sent him an email explaining his harassment to DD about me will cease immediately or I will have her phone number changed and calls to him will be placed from an unknown number..basically limit his telephone communication to DD as well...harassment stopped! A judge now has all of my emails sent to him proving his foolishness...(Long story I refuse to go into).
2. I do not use my kids as a vehicle to pass or receive information to or from him. If he or I wants to ask a question I told my DD he needs to hang up and call me or I can call him. He didn't like that avenue, and tried to pass along messages. I wouldn't listen and played dumb like I had no clue what was being asked of me thru an 11 year old from her father. I told him point blank...I don't take messages from an 11year old. "He stopped using her as a feeding tube of information".
3. If he started in on DD about "what is mom doing" ect...I told her to simply say "with all do respect dad - you need to ask mommy" and to change the subject. After hearing that several times, he got the picture and stopped asking.
My point is, you don't have to partake in his foolishness. Right now you can take control of the situation. As long as my ex knew I was going to respond to his foolishness, he kept the foolishness going. The moment I stopped responding...so did he! My ex too does not know how to control his emotions, and needs someone to place them properly. Someone has to take control in a peaceful way. Waiting for your ex to do so will NEVER happen. YOU are going to have to take control to have the peace you are seeking in your life! Until then your ex has a playground for foolishness that you keep showing up to play and dragging your DD's along for the fun!
I got tired of the merry-go-round ride and got the hell off! It was making me sick!
I dont mean to sound harsh, but when the light bulb went off for me...this is how I got real with myself!
