The busy minister never really heard what the little boy was saying. That's what he was saying. And some day you'll train your child to leave you alone, and then you'll wish that they would come around a little more often and that they would say something. There's no such thing as a non-participating father. You need to spend time with your children.
Children grow like weeds and many are about as well cared for.
Be present with your family. Listening takes time. God always hears His children. When you pray to God, He always hears. Today if there is a generation gap it could be because we have stopped listening to each other.