While there is the usual juggling and coordination that comes with all families, there are some things which apply regardless of the number of children.
"I think that whether you have one child or six, it's so important that you're consistent and on the same page. You need to always be on the same page," says Jackie.
"If there is something we need to deal with or if something comes up then we don't just wing it. We make sure we sit down, talk it through, decide on how we are going to handle it and then make sure we back each other up and communicate the same message.
"I read somewhere about how step parents shouldn’t discipline children, but I just don't agree with that.
"A step parent needs to be able to discipline the children and not always palm it off to the parent. That would not work for us; we always make sure we are on the same page and we are lucky that we have always had the same approach and outlook to our parenting."
"The thing is, we have a standard and expectations in this family of all the kids and they know this is how you behave," Matt says.
"Whether they are in my company or in Jackie's they know the expectations are the same and both of us will stick to the same approach.
"If you say you're going to do something, follow through with it."
So, what about favourites? How tricky is it to manage favouritism of the 'mine' or 'ours' children?
"You just cannot have favourites," says Matt.
"It needs to be understood that we all have our jobs, we all pull our weight.
"It is something we need to make a consistent effort at and yes, it is challenging.
"We are fortunate that Jackie and I are both strong minded people. If something comes up it is sorted straight away and if someone needs to be told to pull their head in, we have that conversation."
Being open and honest with the kids – while tempering that with age-appropriate explanations and approaches to topics – is another golden rule for the Barries.
"Of course we need to take a different approach to what we tell the younger kids compared to what we might tell the older ones, but we are very open and honest and if there are questions we answer them," Jackie says.
"We have respect for them and we expect the same back from them.
"We are all there for each other and even though we don't have planned or structured one on one time with each of the kids, they know there is always someone there for them and there is always someone to talk to or play with.
"Of course, if issues arise, then we will sit down and look at what's going on and that's when we have that time together.
"But we are always so busy that the kids just know this is how it works."
And speaking of busy, knowing when to take time out or ask for help is critical.
"There are days when Matt will get home and I will just say to him, 'Here, you need to take over. I just need 10 minutes, I have had enough'."
Matt adds: "We are lucky, too, to have great friends and family to call and we know they will help. What's important is not only will they help, but they will respect when we ask them to back us up where there might be an issue so, again, it's a consistent message that the kids are getting.
"And if there is a big issue or something going on that we are having trouble getting through to them, we will sit down and talk; we'll ask them where they think there are issues and what they don't like about what we are doing.
"It doesn't mean they get their own way, but it does mean they have a say and they know they will be heard.”