Former wild child Mel Burke has just been elected as city council person for Toledo, Ohio. However, in addition to her new job, she is also forced into raising her niece, Lennox, and her nephew, Ryder. Lennox and Ryder's father, Louis Scanlon, was part of a ponzi scheme and fled the country. Their mother was sent to prison, leaving Mel as the only option. Joe Longo, a former employee of Louis and lost all of his money. His wife kicked him out and left him with nothing. Joe tracks down Mel for information on Louis. Their paths continue to cross until Mel accidentally offers Joe a job to help her take care of the kids. Lennox got suspended from school and Joe saves the day getting Lennox to talk to the principal and accept her punishment.

As Joe comes to terms with his divorce and begins to settle into the idea of being a "manny," he decides it may be a good opportunity to date. He soon discovers, however, women aren't exactly drawn to male nannies. Mel, not wanting to see Joe upset, mainly because she doesn't want her gourmet meals to stop, sets him up by deceiving a former sorority sister about his occupation. Joey's in on the rouse, but will they be able to keep up the charade?