Cat,

I agree with what you've said - a Dobsonian is a great scope.

Mama22Gs, check out a local astronomy club - they would also be able to give you suggestions, as well as possibly be able to let you try one out that a member has. They usually love to get kids involved in star gazing, I know when DD was about 3 we went to a star party organized by a group where we were on vacation and they bent over backwards to help DD use the telescopes and were amazingly patient answering all of her questions.