About the Author

Author of the Kaleidoscope blog, Aaron Cooper, PhD is a staff psychologist with The Family Institute at Northwestern University, as well as a writer and speaker with over 30 years of experience working with families, couples and individuals. He earned his doctorate in 1977 from Loyola University of Chicago, following a Master's in teaching in 1973 from Northwestern University and a Bachelor's cum laude in 1972 from Harvard.

Living in northern California in the late eighties, Dr. Cooper and his partner, educator Eric Keitel, were one of the first same-sex couples to adopt a child through the public adoptions system. His memoir, Bringing Him Home (Late August Press, 2008), chronicles their experience raising their son against the backdrop of his own family's extreme homophobia.

In 2008, Cooper and Keitel co-authored I Just Want My Kids To Be Happy: Why You Shouldn't Say It, Why You Shouldn't Think It, What You Should Embrace Instead (Late August Press). A handbook for parents, it argues against the popular trend of making children's happiness the most important thing, and sets out guidelines to help parents aim their kids toward authentic contentment and well-being.