I just don't know

I think it's a 'No' situation! The last thing you (k)need - sorry - is to suddenly move to get out of the way of a toddler, or to grab them to stop them falling etc and then twisting your new knee as a result.

I'm sure your friend will understand, I certainly hope she would.

Put her off politely Jane ( not that you wouldn’t!)

No, I think you really know the answer: you’re not up to it at the moment. Text her and say something like “It will be lovely to see you, but let’s leave it a few weeks until we can take the children to the park together and I can exercise my new knee!”

Don’t know your circumstances Jane but is there a park very close you could get to? Not sure on the stage of your recovery so that may be a silly suggestion!

A nice idea NotSpaghetti but I'm not at that stage yet. I can do slow walks round the garden but couldn't cope with wee ones running around. I know their mum would say they wouldn't but they would! They'd also need juice and biscuits etc. I'd foresee spillages and general hassle with me saying 'no no it doesn't matter' - but it would!!

Jane, the answer has to be - sorry but not untill I am mobile and in less pain, I am sure you understand .

Well apart from your knee you don’t sound like you love the idea of having small children in your flat full stop. You also say you don’t know these children? So am assuming this is not a close friend?

If this is case I wouldn’t leave the door open (no pun intended) for further requests to come round. Suggest you say I am not up to visitors yet but as soon as I am mobile I will meet you for coffee/lunch/Park

Hope you are up and about soon

They could even want to climb on your knee - ouch - I think you know it's a 'no'.

You can apologise, explain why and arrange to meet outside the house at a future date as "you would really love to see her and meet the children"

I have done as suggested and she was OK about it. My own DGSs have been coming here since they were born and know whats what as well as to avoid climbing on my knee right now.
She was OK about it and will come round once the kids are at nursery and school. Phew!

Good outcome. Perhaps a short follow up text saying ‘thank you for being so understanding’?

I think DoraMarr has given you a good response.