Who is Mom and Dad. from Going Bovine and what is their importance?

Mr. and Mrs. Smith (Mom and Dad) don't get along. Mrs. Smith is described as being over involved in her children's lives, while her husband is over involved in his Physics department and - possibly - his young research assistant. The two adults have little to do with each other before Cameron's illness. As Cameron grows more ill, however, his parents begin to rebuild their bond and each of them changes and grows. By the end of the book Mr. Smith is less rigid and Mrs. Smith is more responsible.