/**
  * Parse the date
  * @return Carbon\Carbon|string
  */
 protected function parseDate()
 {
     // If the date needs formatting
     if ($this->reader->needsDateFormatting()) {
         // Parse the date with carbon
         return $this->parseDateAsCarbon();
     } else {
         // Parse the date as a normal string
         return $this->parseDateAsString();
     }
 }