The expression "cat’s in the cradle" describes a relationship in which one person doesn’t make enough time for the other.

The song by Harry Chapin is about a father who was always too busy to spend time with his son, till one day many years later he sees his son acting the same way he used to, not making time for his family at all, and realizes too late that he really did grow up just like his father...

A similar story was between Roman Emperors Valerian (253-260) and Gallienus (257-268), father and son who ruled the Empire jointly until Valerian was captured by Sassanids in 260. Sassanid king Shapur offered a ransom for Valerian but his son Gallienus, for reasons unknown, refused to pay for his fathers freedom. Valerian was then executed.