Fox News host Jesse Watters seemed taken aback when his guest used the phrase “harem of children” in an otherwise anodyne exchange.

On Wednesday’s Jesse Watters Primetime, the host played snippets of comments by former First Lady Michelle Obama on the IMO podcast about the nuclear family. Obama said former President Barack Obama shared an article questioning the idea.

“Barack and I have talked about this because he sent us an article,” Michelle Obama said. “It talked about how unusual the concept of the nuclear family is… The concept of two parents and children building their lives together is a relatively new concept to this generation, that it isn’t really how we were designed to be because we’re kind of pack animals.”

The former first lady went on to note her husband’s early years, during which time he lived in different places around the world.

“He grew up with more instability,” she said.

Watters welcomed Fox Business Correspondent Madison Alworth, who said there is a certain logic to Michelle Obama’s remarks.

“I think she’s trying to make a larger point that we really do need more support than just the nuclear family, but her delivery is confusing,” Alworth said, moments before a confusing delivery of her own. “I’m not sure. I do like the idea of someone who’s thinking of having kids and stuff, it’s ideal to have more people around you.”

“Stop, stop,” the host protested. “If your husband sends you an email questioning the nuclear family, you’re just gonna be like, ‘Eh, you know’?”

“Well, he’s not my husband yet,” she responded. “So I’d be like, ‘Do we wanna go through with this?’ But I do think it’s not the best delivery. I think she’s trying to talk about the larger family. So, if you’ve got a harem of children, don’t you want more help?”

“I don’t think ‘harem of children’ is the right phrase,” an amused Watters replied. “But we have plenty of help.”

Watch above via Fox News.