The bond of trust between a mother and her son is something that Erika and Edward Pinder know only too well.
For the 37-year-old mum stays calm and collected – while her lad Edward, 10, throws knives at her!
Just don't ask him to tidy his room or he might just lose his concentration.
Edward has been chucking sharp implements at her since he was a toddler (something all parents can relate to!).
And despite the years of risk-taking practice, Edward has never once hit his mum with the eight-inch blades.
The unusual routine is all part of family life for the Pinders at their home in Bisbrooke, Leicestershire. For they are members of a family circus which travels around the country.
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Edward said that despite his accuracy and lack of nerves, he thinks his mother is a 'little bit' nervous during routines. But he plans to up the stakes, learning how to throw stars and axes, and even hoping to get his father involved.
He said: "I try and practise as much as I can so usually have an hour or so every night when I've done my homework."
Last week, the completed the first performance of their latest tour and mum Eirka admitted to feeling a bit on edge.
"I was a bit nervous, but Edward was really calm and everything was fine - and the audience really enjoyed it," she said.
"It was really, really scary when I was waiting for him to throw his first knife at me.
"I had seen him practice and knew he could throw in a straight line, but my heart was jumping, I was terrified.
"Edward uses professional knives and they're really sharp - they have to be to stick into the wood."
Despite the obvious risks involved, Erika said the routine works because her and her son 'feel comfortable and both trust each other'.
She added: "Touch wood, we haven't had any accidents so far. "When he's throwing the knives, he's in charge - he's the parent and I'm the child - but only for the few minutes of the act."
Father Eddy, 38, is a clown in Pinder's Circus which been entertaining crowds across Europe since 1850.
He said: "Edward is definitely the youngest knife thrower in Britain and, as far as we know he's also the youngest in Europe. We are extremely proud of him."