Perhaps warns American mother about whirlpool (9)
I believe the answer is:
maelstrom
'whirlpool' is the definition.
(I know that maelstrom is a type of whirlpool)
I don't understand the rest of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for maelstrom that I've seen before include "confused state of affairs" , "Eddy" , "fearsome current" , "Confused situation" , "great confusion" .)